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IHE   FIRST   METHODIST   EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    IN    OHIO. 

\SEE  I'AGE  117.) 


HISTORY  OF  OHIO  METHODISM 


M  ^hibjj  in  Social  .Science 


JOHN  MARSHALL  BARKER,  PH.D. 


INTRODUCTION  BY 
PRESIDENT  JAMES  W.  BASHFORD,  PFI.  D.,  D.  D. 


)o"'  :  -» 


»  J  «    t    . 


CINCINNATI :  CURT6  ■&  JENNINGS 

NEW  YORK :  EATON  &  MAINS 

1898 


7  3  S,  (^ 


9070 


PREFACE. 


THERE  are  jioints  of  time  in  the  life  of  a  Church, 
as  well  as  the  individual,  when  one  may  look  back 
and  feel  that  something  of  the  past  is  secured.  What- 
ever has  been  good  or  profitable,  naturally  awakens 
feelings  of  gratitude  and  pleasure.  This  is  emphat- 
ically true  of  the  Centennial  of  Ohio  Methodism. 

The  planting  and  growth  of  the  Church,  with  its 
thrilling  history,  is  secured.  Her  effective  methods  of 
work  and  Scriptural  doctrines,  formulated  to  meet  all 
human  needs,  are  secured.  The  rich  heritage  of  re- 
ligion and  education  are  bequeathed  to  us.  The  noble 
examples  of  the  pioneer  preachers  and  Church  mem- 
bers, inspired  as  they  were  with  lofty  purposes,  true 
devotion,  and  unsurpassed  heroism,  are  likewise  se- 
cured. \Ve  have  entered  into  the  labors  of  these  brave 
Christian  heroes.  The  gratitude  of  t4iis  generation 
may  be  expressed  in  more  earnest  efforts  to  emulate 
their  virtues  and  to  imitate  their  deeds  of  valor. 

The  limits  of  our  work  do  not  permit  us  to  sketch, 
only  in  a  brief  manner,  a  few  of  the  lives  among  the 
great  number  of  gifted  preachers  and  noble  laymen. 
Their  self-sacrificing  devotion  and  untiring  labors  read 
more  like  romantic  stories  than  real  events  in  actual 
life.  We  hope  the  Church  w^ill  not  permit  their  mem- 
ories to  be  entombed  in  the  fleeting  past. 

For  nearly  a  decade  the  author  has  had  unequaled 
opportunities  to  travel  throughout  Ohio,  and  observe 
the  general  development  of  the  Church,  and  gather 
materials  of  real  historic  value.     It  is  impossible  to 


4  PREFACE. 

appropriate  at  the  present  more  tlian  a  fragment  of  the 
materials  at  our  command. 

The  author  is  indebted  to  many  friends  for  their 
vahiable  assistance.  They  have  rendered  great  service 
to  the  Church  in  their  dihgent  search  for  facts  and 
incidents  relating 'to  the  local  Church  histories  in  more 
than  forty  cities  of  Ohio.  Special  mention  is  due  to 
Professor  Samuel  W.  Williams  for  the  chapter  on 
Methodist  Literature,  and  for  the  historic  sketch  of 
Methodism  in  Cincinnati. 

No  attempt  has  been  made  to  write  the  annals  of 
Ohio  Methodism,  but  simply  to  present  a  general  sur- 
vey of  the  work,  giving  only  a  sufficient  number  of 
incidents  and  facts  to  illustrate  some  fundamental  prin- 
ciple. The  aim  has  been  to  trace  the  historic  forces 
that  serve  to  account  for  the  extraordinary  success  of 
the  Church  and  the  social  progress  of  the  State. 

Ohio  Methodism  began  a  century  ago,  and  num- 
bered less  than  one  hundred  persons.  To-day  the 
membership  numbers  nearly  three  hundred  thousand. 
The  historic  interpretation  of  the  living  Spirit  which 
operates  back  of  all  facts  naturally  enlists  the  atten- 
tion of  the  thoughtful  student.  Methodism  has  been 
one  of  the  most  powerful  forces  at  work  through  the 
evolutionary  process  of  modern  society.  The  laws  and 
processes  of  social  development  have  not  been  elab- 
orated, but  sufficient  emphasis  has  been  given  the  sub- 
ject to  show  that  the  Christian  spirit,  as  embodied  in 
the  character  of  the  Methodist,  has  produced  a  more 
healthful  growth  of  society.  The  review  of  our  his- 
toric environment  and  present  condition  can  not  be 
otherwise  than  helpful,  and  we  hope  will  lead  the 
Church  to  a  fuller  consecration  and  a  more  deter- 
mined and  aggressive  warfare  against  sin. 

THE   AUTHOR. 

Oak  WOOD  Cottage,  Dela7vart\  Ohio. 


INTRODUCTION. 


OHIO  is  the  seventeenth  State  admitted  to  the 
Union.  She  ranks  thirty-fifth  in  size  among  her 
sister  States.  She  is  not  located  at  the  East,  serving 
as  the  gateway  through  which  population,  wealth,  in- 
telligence, and  religion  passed  from  the  Old  World  to 
the  New.  She  is  without  a  Greater  New  York,  which, 
as  the  gateway  to  the  continent,  belongs  to  the  whole 
country  rather  than  to  a  single  Commonwealth.  She 
is  without  the  advantages  of  two  hundred  years  of 
intellectual  and  religious  development  which  con- 
tribute to  the  leadership  of  Massachusetts  and  Penn- 
sylvania. How,  then,  can  we  account  for  the  fact  that 
Ohio  ranks  third  in  population  and  wealth,  and  among 
the  first  of  her  sister  States  in  education  and  religion? 
Ohio  produced  Grant,  the  greatest  general  the 
world  has  yet  known;  Sherman,  the  greatest  cam- 
paigner; Sheridan,  the  greatest  cavalryman;  Rose- 
crans,  the  tactician;  Mitchel,  the  scholar;  and  Garfield 
and  Hayes,  who  later  rose  to  the  leadership  of  the 
Nation.  Ohio  has  produced  a  Rockefeller,  who  has 
acquired  more  wealth  personally  than  any  other  man 
in  history,  and  Edison,  the  most  fertile  inventor  in  the 
world.  Ohio  produced  W.  H.  Bancroft,  whose  thirty- 
nine  volumes  embrace  the  finest  collection  of  historical 
materials  made  by  an  American  writer.  Ohio  devel- 
oped McGufYey,  whose  readers  and  spellers  reached 
every  schoolhouse  in  the  Alississippi  \^alley,  and  she 
fosters  the  largest  publishing-house  for  school-books 
upon  the  globe.    A  resident  of  Ohio  produced  Uncle 

5 


6  ixTRonrcTioN.  • 

Tom's  Cabin,  which  was  planned  and  largely  written 
in  Cincinnati.  Ohio  has  given  "Nasby"  (to  wit,  J.  R. 
Locke),  Rcid,  and  Halstead,  and  Edwards  to  journal- 
ism; Howclls  and  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe  to  literature; 
J.  G.  Woollev  and  Lucy  Stone  and  James  G.  Birney 
to  reform;  McLean  and  Chase  and  Waite  to  the  Su- 
preme Court;  Corwin  and  Ewing  to  eloquence;  Sher- 
man, Thurman,  and  McKinley  to  statesmanship. 
Ohio  has  fostered  such  educators  as  Mann  and  Thom- 
son, McCabe  and  Merrick,  Payne  and  Fairchild,  Will- 
iams and  Hancock  and  Harper.  Ohio  has  produced 
such  philanthropists  as  Lewis  A  tiller,  the  financial 
founder  of  Chautauqua;  and  Case,  of  the  School  of 
Applied  Sciences ;  and  Stone,  of  Adelbert  College ;  and 
Rockefeller,  of  Chicago  University.  The  Under- 
ground Railroad  ran  through  Ohio,  and  Calvin  Fair- 
banks and  other  Buckeyes  were  heroes  in  that  un- 
known struggle  for  the  freedom  of  the  slaves.  Ohio 
has  given  the  pulpit  Finney  and  Mcllvaine,  Gunsaulus 
and  Bigelow,  Durbin  and  Simpson.  Ohio  has  pro- 
duced, or  else  trained  in  political  life  for  the  Presi- 
dency, the  two  Harrisons,  Grant,  Hayes,  Garfield,  and 
McKinley,  and  is  thus  supplanting  Virginia  as  the 
Mother  of  Presidents.  Through  the  influence  of  the 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University  and  of  Oberlin  College, 
Ohio  has  sent  out  more  men  and  women  to  evangelize 
the  world  probably  than  any  other  State  in  the  Union. 
The  Scotts  and  Lowrys,  Thomson,  Tubbs,  LaFetra, 
Allen,  JNIansell,  INIary  Reed,  James  and  Isabella  Tho- 
burn,  and  a  princely  host  are  creating  civilizations  in 
Mexico  and  South  America,  in  Korea  and  Japan,  in 
India  and  in  China. 

How  can  we  account  for  our  goodly  heritage?  I 
have  not  time  to  mention,  much  less  discuss,  all  of  the 
forces  which  have  contributed  to  the  greatness  of  the 
Commonwealth.  I  can  not  enter  upon  a  philosophical 
discussion  of  the  question  raised.  A  Taine  or  a  Buckle 
would  find  rich  resources  in  Ohio  for  his  contention 


lATK'OnUCTION.  7 

that  our  material  advantages  have  produced  our  in- 
tellectual and  moral  prosperity.  Upon  the  other  hand, 
a  DeTocqueville  or  a  Bryce  would  find  ample  reasons 
for  the  view  that  the  material  and  poHtical  pre-emi- 
nence of  Ohio,  as  of  the  Nation  at  large,  is  chiefly 
due  to  the  spiritual  and  intellectual  life  of  her  citizens. 
I  can  not  discuss  the  question  at  all.  I  can  only  ex- 
press of  my  adopted  State  the  conviction  that  her 
character  accounts  for  her  conquests.  Ohio  was  set- 
tled by  people  from  New  England,  Pennsylvania,  the 
A'irginias,  the  Carolinas,  and  Kentucky.  As  Europe 
was '  sifted  to  produce  the  original  Colonists,  so  the 
Colonies  were  sifted  to  produce  the  Buckeyes.  Thus 
the  citizens  of  Ohio  are  Americans  of  the  Americans, 
as  Paul  was  a  Hebrew  of  the  Hebrews.  Puritans, 
Quakers,  Cavaliers,  and  Huguenots  contributed  the 
spiritual  and  mental  vigor,  which  accounts,  in  part  at 
least,  for  the  social  and  material  advancement  of  our 
Commonwealth.  The  Ordinance  of  1787 — second  only 
in  its  influence  upon  our  continent  to  the  Constitution 
of  1789 — saved  the  State  from  the  moral  and  material 
blight  of  African  slavery.  Above  all,  Christian  mis- 
sionaries— Catholic,  Quaker,  Baptist,  Congregational, 
Presbyterian,  and  Methodist — accompanied  and  often 
preceded  the  pioneers,  and  the  early  settlers  of  the 
State  were  molded  by  religious  influences. 

Among  the  religious  forces  which  have  contribut  ^d 
to  the  leadership  of  Ohio.  ]\Iethodism  has  plaved 
inconspicuous  part.  Indeed,  so  intense  and  pervasive 
has  been  the  influence  of  this  Church,  that  Methodism 
is  not  only  the  leading  denomination  in  Ohio,  but 
Ohio  is  the  leading  Methodist  Commonwealth  upon 
the  globe.  Ohio  furnishes  one-tenth  of  the  member- 
ship of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  the  world, 
and  more  than  one-tenth  of  her  contributions  to  Chris- 
tian charities.  Ohio  has  nurtured  the  greatest  preach- 
ers of  Methodism.  She  has  trained  her  missionaries 
and  educators.    She  has  given  birth  to  the  ^Missionary 


8  INTR  OD  UCTION. 

Society,  to  the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society, 
to  the  Freedmen's  Aid  Society,  and  to  the  Epworth 
League.  The  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union, 
the  most  influential  woman's  organization  upon  the 
globe,  was  founded  in  Ohio  by  Methodist  women.  Of 
the  bishops  of  Methodism,  Ohio  has  produced  Simpson 
and  Harris,  Foster  and  Merrill,  Walden  and  Joyce, 
Cranston  and  McCabe  and  Thoburn.  In  addition  to 
these,  who  were  born  upon  her  soil,  she  has  trained 
for  their  high  responsibilities  Hamline  and  Morris, 
Ames  and  Clark,  Thomson  and  Kingsley,  Ninde  and 
Hartzell  and  Wiley.  Thus  out  of  the  forty-nine  men 
selected  during  the  century  to  lead  the  militant  hosts 
of  Methodism,  Ohio  has  produced  or  nurtured  eigh- 
teen. 

It  is  to  narrate  the  history  of  the  Methodist  Church 
in  Ohio;  it  is  to  trace  the  influence  of  religion  upon 
the  social  and  public  life  of  our  citizens;  it  is  to  ex- 
plain in  some  measure  the  secret  of  the  Common- 
wealth's greatness,  that  ''Ohio  Methodism"  is  written. 
The  volume  is  prepared  by  those  having  a  knowledge 
of  the  facts,  and  a  love  for  all  that  is  noblest  in  our 
Commonwealth;  it  depicts  incidents  of  thrilling  inter- 
est, and  presents  principles  upon  which  the  future 
growth  of  our  State  depends;  hence  I  count  it  an 
honor  to  bid  the  book  Godspeed. 

T.  W.  BASHFORD. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

I'AGE. 

The  Field, 13 


CHAPTER    n.                  • 
Mission  of  Methodism, 49 

CHAPTER    HI. 
Introduction   of  Methodism, 79 

CHAPTER    IV. 
Growth  of  Methodism, 105 

CHAPTER   V. 
Pioneer  Preachers, 129 

CHAPTER   VI. 
Experiences  of  Itinerants, 171 

CHAPTER    VII. 
Organizations, 191 

CHAPTER    VIII. 
Higher  Edication, 221 

CHAPTER    IX. 

Literature, 265 

9 


lO  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    X. 

PAGE. 

The  Outlook, 285 

CHAPTER    XL 
Methodism  ix  Cities: 301 

Akron, 

Allian'ce, Rev.  T.  W.  Lane. 

Athens, Rev.  D.  C.  Tho.mas. 

Barnesville, Rev.  J.  D.  Tai.bott. 

Bellekontaine, Rev.  C.  R.  H.avighorst. 

BucYRUs, Rev.  M.J.  Keyes. 

Canton, Rev.  C.  E.  Manchester. 

Cambridge,  ...       Coi..  C.  P.  B.  Sarchet. 

Chillicothe, Hon.  Wm.  T.  McClintick. 

Cincinnati, S.  W.  Williams. 

Clevel.and, Mary  Bigelow  Ingh.a:\i. 

Columbus, J.  C.  Jackson,  Jr. 

D.ayton, Rev.  W.  A.  Robinson. 

Del.wvare Miss  Linda  Duv.a.ll. 

East  Liverpool, Rev.  J.  H.  Husto.n. 

FiNDLAY, Rev.  J.  ]\L  Avann. 

Gallipoi.is, Rev.  P.  A.  Baker. 

Hamilton, Henry  Mallorv,  M.  D. 

HiLLSBORO, L.  Detwiler. 

M.^nsfield, Rev.  F.  A.  Gould. 

Marion, W.  Z.  Davis. 

Marietta, Hir.-vm  L.  Sibley. 

Massillon, ,  Rev.  Geo.  B.  Smith. 

Mt.  Vernon, Mrs.  C.  A.  Agnew. 

Newark, Lucy  AL  Connel. 

Norwalk, E.  L.  Young. 

Painesville, Rev.  R.  M.  Freshwater. 

Portsmouth, Rev.  B.  R.  McElkoy. 

Ravenna, A.  B.  Grifitn. 

Sandusky, Rev.  L.   K.  Warner. 

Sidney, 

Springfield, Miss  Kate  Kauff.man. 

Steubenville, Rev.  G.  F.  Oliver. 

Toledo, Rev.  W.  H.  Leatherman. 

Urbana, Rev.  C.  W.  Rishell. 

Vernon, John  L  King,  M.  D. 

Warren, B.  J.  Taylor. 

Washington  C.  H., Rev.  W.  H.  Lewis. 

Youngstown, Rev.  A.  i\L  Billingsley. 

Zanesville, Hon.  John  W.  King. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


I'AGE. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Ohio,  Frontispiece. 

Ohio  River, 17 

Campus  Martius, 23 

Arthur  St.  Clair, 26 

Epworth  Rectory, 52 

John  Wesley, 57 

Church  where  the  General  Conference  was  Held,  1784,  67 

Francis  McCormick, 85 

McCormick's  Grave,  near  Milford,  Ohio, 87 

R.  R.  Roberts, 97 

Alfred  Brunson, 99 

Bishop  Asbury, no 

Conference  Map, between  114,  115 

Rev.  William  Nast, 116 

William  McKendree, 119 

Henry  Smith, 135 

John  Collins, 138 

William  Burke, 140 

Edward  Tiffin, 146 

James  Quinn, 154 

James  B.  Finley, I57 

Charles  Elliott, 160 

Thomas  A.  Morris, 161 

David  Young, 162 

Jacob  Young, 163 

John  P.  Durbin, 165 

II 


12  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE. 

Miss  Isabella  Thoburn, 197 

Bishop  D.  W.  Clark, 199 

Eliza  J.  Thompson, 205 

Lucy  Webb  Hayes, 208 

Christ's  Hospital, 213 

Epworth  Memorial  Church, 215 

Mount  Union  College  Buildings, 238,  239,  240 

Ohio  Wesleyan  University  Astronomical  Observatory,    243 
Gray  Chapel  and  Administration  Building,    ,...,,  246 

Slocum  Library, 248 

Monnett  Hall, 252 

Presidents  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan   University, 255 

Western  Methodist  Book  Concern  Building, 283 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Norwalk,  Ohio,    .    .  409 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Washington  C.  H.,  Ohio,  .  443 


Chapter  I. 


'HERE  must  be  somewhere  a  plan  in  history  which  shall  take 
account  of  the  near  and  the  far,  of  the  ancient,  the  modern,  and 
even  of  peoples  yet  to  be;  which  shall  recognize  and  regulate  the 
moral  forces  which  build  up  states,  or  which  work  their  decay; 
which  shall  anticipate  tendencies,  occasions,  men,  and  take  cogni- 
zance of  arts,  inventions,  knowledges,  even  before  society  has 
reached  them,  that  all  may  be  confederated  in  systematic  interac- 
t'on  for  a  final  effect." — R.  S.  Stores. 


C^HE  history  of  the  Church  shows  us  that  out  of  the  organization 
^^   for  religious  worship  have  issued  successively  all  the  greater 
organizations  of  society,  systems  of  constitutional  government,  edu- 
cation, art,  the  festivals  and  jubilee  of  social  intercourse.     The  sys= 
tera  of  worship  begat  them  all." — JV.  H.  Fremantle. 


**j^OCIAL  Philosophy  may  be  regarded  as  concerned  with  the 

^^  relations  of  men  to  each  other,  with  their  relations  to  the 

material  world,  and  with  the  development  of  individual  character 

in  so  far  as  that  is  affected  by  these  relations. "^^.  S.  MacKenzie. 


.UR  inquiry  is  not  merely  or  mainly  concerned  with  the  increase 
of  the  material  satisfaction  of  life,  with  enlarged  cities,  grow- 
ing populations,  expanding  commerce,  .  .  .  but  with  the  character 
and  sway  of  ideas.  For  ideas  are  real  forces.  Ideas  are  our  real 
world ;  institutions,  laws,  events,  are  the  changing  garments  in  which 
that  world  appears ;  so  that  the  progress  of  a  city,  of  a  country,  or  of 
a  generation  is  to  be  tested  by  the  comparative  strength  and  domin- 
ion of  true  conceptions  of  the  universe  and  of  nature,  of  life  and 
death,  of  duty  and  right,  of  the  individual  and  of  the  village,  town, 
city,  state,  and  race  in  which  the  individual  lives,  and  moves,  and 
has  his  being;  of  institutions  like  Marriage  and  Home,  School  and 
University,  Pulpit  and  Press,  Church  and  State." — Dr.JoJm  Cliford. 

14 


CHAPTER  I. 

OHIO  presents  a  splendid  field  for  Christian  activ- 
ity. It  is  (luite  true  tiiat  a  Christian's  responsibil- 
ities and  sympathies  can  not  be  confined  by  any  boun- 
daries arbitrarily  fixed;  yet  Providence  has  placed 
us  in  this  portion  of  his  moral  vineyard  to  cultivate 
it.  If,  without  forgetting  the  greater  and  broader 
field  of  the  world's  parish,  we  study  the  peculiar  phys- 
ical and  moral  conditions  under  which  we  are  placed, 
and  consider  our  noble  ancestry,  and  recall  the  soul- 
inspiring  traditions  of  the  pioneers,  we  may  better 
serve  our  day  and  generation.  The  inspiration  and 
glory  of  former  days  should  certainly  stimulate  our 
faith  and  encourage  our  effort  to  perpetuate  the  noble 
inheritance  of  our  fathers,  and  fulfill  in  some  degree 
the  wonderful  possibilities  which  a  kind  Providence 
lays  before  us. 

The  phenomenal  growth  of  the  commonwealth  of 
Ohio  awakens  interest  and  devout  thankfulness  in  the 
most  casual  observer  of  events.  The  remarkable  prog- 
ress is  brought  more  closely  to  our  attention  since 
we  are  about  to  close  our  first  century,  and  enter  upon 
the  eventful  times  of  the  twentieth  century.  It  is 
four  hundred  years  since  Columbus  opened  up  to 
the  Old  World  the  dim  vision  of  the  New  World 
and  its  possibilities.  Nearly  one  century  and  a  fourth 
afterward,  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  landed  on  Plymouth 
Rock.  Half  a  century  later  La  Salle,  the  first  white 
man,    sailed    down    the    beautiful    Ohio    River,    and 


1 6  OHIO   METHODISM. 

brought  back  glowing  reports  of  what  is  now  the 
State  of  Ohio.  One  hundred  and  nineteen  years  after 
these  occurrences,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven 
years  after  the  landing  of  the  Mayflower,  a  colony  of 
immigrants  landed  at  Marietta,  and  inaugurated  a  new 
civilization.  ■More  than  a  century  has  elapsed;  and  we 
see  the  State  making  rapid  progress  toward  a  fuller 
and  grander  civilization  and  an  integral  part  of  a  great 
Nation,  ranking  third  in  a  Union  of  forty-eight. 

The  epochs  marking  the  discovery  of  America  and 
the  settlement  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  the  successful 
struggle  for  independence,  the  opening  of  the  great 
Northwest  territory,  and  the  founding  of  the  State 
of  Ohio,  are  among  the  mountain  peaks  of  our  national 
history,  radiant  with  the  new  light  of  hope  for  the 
world,  and  indicating  that  the  drift  of  history  is  for- 
ward and  onward  to  a  higher  and  better  life.  From 
the  course  of  these  events  we  may  trace  the  steppings 
of  a  Providence  that  "shapes  our  ends,  rough-hew 
them  how  we  will." 

Ohio  is  favorably  located  bejtween  the  Ohio  River, 
which  forms  its  southern  boundary  for  four  hundred 
and  thirty-six  miles,  and  a  chain  of  lakes  on  the  north, 
with  a  shore-line  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  miles. 
The  State  has  a  land  area  of  forty  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  sixty  square  miles. 

The  topography  of  the  State  reveals  a  variety  of 
landscapes.  The  noble  forests,  flowing  rivers,  beauti- 
ful lakes,  rolling  hills,  rich  and  fertile  valleys,  combine 
to  form  a  picture  which  produces  the  most  pleasant 
impressions.  A  ridge  of  hills,  forming  the  backbone  of 
the  State,  extending  nearly  diagonally,  divides  the  val- 


1 8  OHIO   2rETH0DIS.V. 

ley  of  the  Ohio  from  the  lakes  on  the  north.  These 
table-lands  and  hills,  furrowed  by  rich  valleys,  are 
drained  by  numerous  streams  and  rivers.  The  equable 
climate  and  temperature,  together  with  a  variety  of 
soil  and  products,  make  it  one  of  the  most  desirable 
places  for  residence.  "The  river,  the  lake,  and  the  in- 
land combined  to  form  a  country  which  the  red  man 
and  the  white  man  alike  admired  and  coveted  as  a  gar- 
den of  delights.  No  wonder  that  the  savage  died  rather 
than  yield  it;  no  wonder  that  the  enterprising  spirits 
in  the  old  settlements  were  eager  to  enjoy  a  land,  so 
attractively  pictured  by  all  who  came  back  from  it." 

Great  changes  have  been  wrought  during  the  first 
century  of  Ohio's  history.  The  lands  have  been  mostly 
cleared  of  forests,  and  drained,  and  made  ready  for 
ripening  fields  of  grain,  luscious  fruits^  and  homes 
of  peace  and  plenty.  The  Indian  wigwams  and  villages 
have  retreated  before  the  inventions  of  civilized  men. 
Farms,  factories,  churches,  and  schools  have  rapidly 
multiplied  until  now  we  enjoy  more  privileges  and 
better  environments  than  many  of  the  oldest  civiliza- 
tions of  the  world. 

It  will  repay  the  time  and  effort  to  review  briefly 
some  of  the  leading  events  in  the  history  of  the  settle- 
ments and  the  present  achievements  of  Ohio,  and,  if 
possible,  trace  the  effects  back  to  the  underlying 
causes,  and  discover  the  far-reaching  results. 

In  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth  centuries  the  Jes- 
uits, with  their  subtle  and  sinister  system,  were  belting 
the  globe  with  their  missions.  Through  their  heroic 
spirit   and   self-sacrifice   they   were    gaining   new    tri- 


THE   FIELD.  1 9 

uniphs  on  this  continent.  The  missionary  enthusiasm 
of  the  Jesuits  for  the  Indians  deserves  praise;  but  the 
Christianity  which  they  planted  did  not  strike  deep 
root.  The  h>ench  missionaries  and  explorers  were 
the  first  to  penetrate  the  Northwest  Territory,  embrac- 
ing the  present  territorial  limits  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illi- 
nois, ]\lichigan,  Wisconsin,  and  a  part  of  Alinnesota. 
For  more  than  two  hundred  years  the  French  held 
sway  through  the  entire  Mississippi  A'alley,  by  right, 
as  they  claimed,  of  discovery  and  settlement.  They 
erected  numerous  forts  from  the  mouth  of  the  Alissis- 
sippi  to  Canada,  in  order  to  maintain  their  possessions. 
The  French  had  established  their  colonies  chiefly  for 
the  purpose  of  trading  with  the  Indians. 

The  English  had  claimed  the  right  of  possession 
to  the  territory  lying  west  of  the  coast  through  the 
right  of  discovery  by  Cabot  in  1479;  and  a  portion 
of  the  Ohio  V'alley  by  a  treaty  with  the  Indian  Con- 
federacy of  Six  Nations.  The  English  explorers  in 
the  meanwhile  were  establishing  themselves  in  the 
great  West,  which  was  claimed  by  the  French.  Picka- 
willany,  an  English  trading  station,  situated  on  the 
Great  Aliami  River,  at  the  mouth  of  Loramics  Creek, 
was  built  in  1479.  ^t  was  the  first  point  of  English 
settlement  in  Ohio.  In  1748  the  Ohio  Land  Company, 
composed  of  English  and  Virginian  merchants,  was 
formed.  Tw^o  years  later,  Christopher  Gist  conducted 
an  exploring  party  which  followed  the  Ohio  River  to 
its  falls.  Gist  was  the  first  white  man  of  Anglo-Saxon 
descent  to  visit,  m  an  official  capacity,  the  country 
now^  comprised  within  the  limits  of  Ohio.     Through 


20  OHIO  METHODISM. 

his  favorable  report  the  beauty  and  richness  of  the 
Ohio  \'alley  were  brought  to  the  attention  of  the 
EngHsh. 

George  Washington's  first  military  exploit  was  to 
rescue  the  Ohio  \^alley,  and  to  uphold  the  right  of  the 
Colonists  to  this  disputed  territory.  In  1754  he  was 
sent  to  Pittsburg,  the  gateway  of  Ohio,  to  hold  the 
fort  for  the  English.  Here  there  was  already  a  small 
English  settlement.  The  results  that  followed  this 
action  opened  up  the  way  for  a  prolonged  conflict 
of  nine  years.  The  scattered  French  and  English 
colonies,  as  well  as  each  nation,  were  jealous  of  the 
possessions  of  this  almost  boundless  domain.  The 
Erench  girded  themselves  for  the  supreme  struggle 
against  the  extension  of  English  power  in  America. 
They  were  finally  defeated,  and  in  1763  ceded  to  the 
English  all  their  claims  to  the  Ohio  Valley.  Thus 
their  sovereignty  on  this  continent  was  destroyed,  and 
this  prepared  the  way  for  the  English-speaking  race 
and  the  great  epoch  of  American  independence. 

'This  was  a  conflict,"  says  W.  H.  Withrow,  '^not 
merely  between  hostile  peoples,  but  between  Democ- 
racy and  Eeudalism,  between  Catholic  superstition 
and  Protestant  liberty.  The  issue  at  stake  was  whether 
mediaeval  institutions,  the  principles  of  military  ab- 
solutism, and  the  teachings  of  Gallican  clericalism 
should  dominate,  or  whether  the  evolution  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty,  of  free  thought,  free  speech,  a 
free  press,  and  the  universal  genius  of  free  institutions 
should  find  a  field  for  their  development  as  wide  as 
the  continent.  The  problem  was  whether,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson  and  the  MississipiM,  on  the  shores 


THE  FIELD.  21 

of  the  Great  Lakes,  and  amid  the  vast  prairies  of  the 
far  West  should  grow  up  a  number  of  free  common- 
wealths, or  whether  an  intellectual  atrophy  and  re- 
ligious superstition,  such  as  we  behold  to-day  on  either 
side  of  the  lower  St.  Lawrence,  should  characterize 
also  the  whole,  or  greater  part,  of  what  is  now  the 
American  Ljiion  and  the  Canadian  Dominion." 

The  Ohio  \^alley  remained  in  possession  of  Great 
Britain  twenty  years.  After  the  war  for  independence 
all  rights  were  surrendered.  The  States  of  New  York, 
Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Mrginia  likewise 
ceded  all  their  claims  to  the  territory,  and  so  it  passed 
under  the  complete  control  of  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment. Congress  in  1787  passed  an  ordinance  for  the 
government  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States  north- 
west of  the  Ohio.  This  famous  ordinance  was  a 
masterpiece  of  statesmanship.  It  vindicated  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  thirteen  Colonies  and  became  a  model 
for  all  subsequent  laws  of  the  States  and  Territories. 
It  provided  that  "there  should  be  neither  slavery  nor 
involuntary  servitude  in  the  said  Territory  otherwise 
than  as  the  punishment  of  crime,  whereof  the  party 
shall  have  been  duly  convicted."  It  also  contained 
the  following  famous  article:  "Religion,  morality,  and 
knowledge  being  necessary  for  good  government  and 
the  happiness  of  mankind,  schools  and  the  means  for 
education  shall  forever  be  encouraged."  These  were 
placed  by  the  ordinance  among  the  fundamental  prin- 
ciples of  civil  and  religious  li1)erty.  Daniel  Webster, 
in  speaking  of  the  ordinance,  said:  "We  are  accus- 
tomed to  praise  the  learning  and  efforts  of  men  of 
ancient  times;  w-e  help  to  perpetuate  the  fame  of  Solon 


22  OHIO  METHODISM. 

and  Lycurgus;  but  I  doubt  whether  one  single  law 
of  any  lawgiver,  ancient  or  modern,  has  had  a  more 
distinct,  marked,  and  lasting  character  than  the  Ordi- 
nance of  1787." 

The  colonization  of  Ohio  and  the  struggles  of  the 
early  settlers  read  like  an  Arabian  tale.  The  pious 
Moravian  missionaries  were  among  the  first  settlers. 
They  founded  a  mission  among  the  Delaware  Indians 
of  the  Muskingum  Valley  in  the  year  1761.  Several 
missions  were  founded  from  time  to  time  among  the 
Indians  of  Eastern  Ohio.  They  were  unfortunately 
located  between  hostile  forces;  and  in  1781  they  were 
obliged  to  remove,  and  many  of  their  Indian  followers 
were  massacred  in  the  most  shameful  and  brutal  man- 
ner. Five  years  later  a  mission  was  established  on 
the  Cuyahoga  River.  This  mission  ceased  to  exist 
in  1824,  when  the  lands  of  the  Indians  passed  over 
to  the  General  Government.  In  1786  the  Ohio  Com- 
pany was  formed  in  Boston  to  purchase  and  settle 
lands  west  of  the  Alleghanies.  They  purchased  from 
the  Government  about  a  million  and  a  half  of  acres 
situated  in  the  present  counties  of  Washington, 
Athens,  Meigs,  and  Gallia. 

The  following  year  a'  colony  for  its  settlement 
was  organized,  and  started  on  its  journey  to  a  new 
home  in  the  West.  General  Putnam,  with  forty-eight 
colonists,  landed,  on  April  7,  1788,  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Aluskingum  River,  at  the  present  site  of  Mari- 
etta, wdiere  they  erected  temporary  huts,  wdiich  con- 
tained the  germs  of  a  great  civilization,  although  there 
was  no  large  prophecy  in  these  early  beginnings. 

Bancroft    says    of    this    company:    *Tt    interested 


THE   FIELD. 


23 


every  one.  For  vap;-ue  hope  of  colonization  here  stood 
a  hardy  band  of  pioneers,  ready  to  lead  the  way  to 
the  rapid  absorption  of  the  domestic  debt  of  the 
United  States;  selected  from  the  choicest  regiments 
of  the  army,  capable  of  self-defense,  the  protectors 
of  all  who  should  follow  them;  men  skilled  in  the  labor 
of  the  field,  and  artisans,  enterprising  and  laborious, 


CAMPUS  MARTIUS. 

trained  in  the  severe  morality  and  strict  orthodoxy 
of  the  New  England  villages  of  the  day." 

The  civil  government  of  the  Northwest  Territory 
was  established  in  1788.  In  September  of  this  year  the 
first  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  the  Territory  was 
opened  at  Marietta  with  imposing  ceremonies. 
Eighty-four  new  colonists  joined  the  number  before 
the  year  closed. 


24  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Other  settlements  followed  this  one.  In  1792  about 
five  hundred  settlers  from  France  reached  the  Ohio 
River  and  founded  Gallipolis.  Soon  after  the  purchase 
of  the  Ohio  Company,  John  C.  Symmes,  of  New  Jer- 
sey, purchased  one  million  acres  between  the  Great 
and  Little  Miami  Rivers.  This  purchase  was  subse- 
(juently  modified  by  Congress  to  three  hundred  and 
eleven  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-two  acres. 
This  territory  was  settled  mostly  by  people  from  New 
Jersey.  The  \  irginia  military  settlers  occupied  the 
Scioto  Valley.  Another  stream  of  immigration  poured 
in  from  Pennsylvania,  and  located  in  Central-East 
Ohio,  and  covered  what  is  known  as  the  backbone 
of  Ohio,  which  is  the  great  wheat-belt  of  the  State. 
These  colonists  were  Scotch-Irish  and  Pennsylvania 
German.  The  Connecticut  settlements  came  in  on  the 
north,  and  settled  what  is  now  known  as  the  Western 
Reserve  territory.  They  brought  the  New  England 
ideas.  These  streams  of  immigration  met  and  eddied 
about  each  other.  There  was  a  marked  distinction 
in  the  manners,  customs,  and  ideas  of  these  early 
settlers,  which  to  the  present  day  is  not  entirely  ef- 
faced. These  lines  of  demarkation  are  growing  fainter 
each  year.  The  railroads  and  various  avenues  of 
trade  have  led  men  to  move  about  more  readily.  The 
provincialism  of  thirty  or  forty  years  ago  has  been 
in  a  great  measure  broken  up,  and  the  population  of 
Ohio  is  now  a  homogeneous  body.  This  mingled  stock 
and  life  of  various  peoples  found  a  common  exhibition, 
and  made  possible  a  richer  and  more  progressive  civili- 
zation.    The  social  and  unifying  principle  of  political 


THE  FIELD.  25 

freedom  and  Christianity  has  operated  favorably  in 
bringing  about  these  resuUs. 

Ohio  furnishes  the  theater  of  the  story  of  the  most 
thrilhng-  incident  and  heroic  valor.  Its  history  abounds 
in  experiences  of  the  deepest  pathos  and  the  grimmest 
tragedy.  The  feats  and  hairbreadth  escapes  of  the 
daring  bordermen  read  hke  a  romance.  The  Inchans 
resisted  every  encroachment  of  the  pioneers  upon  their 
territory,  and  with  daring  and  barbaric  cruehy  they 
captured  and  sacked  the  villages.  They  did  not  hes- 
itate to  perpetrate  some  of  the  most  daring  atrocities 
on  the  frontier  settlements.  The  pioneers  retaliated 
by  making  frequent  expeditions  among  the  Indians 
to  destroy  their  crops,  burn  their  towns,  and  capture 
and  kill  the  inhabitants.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that 
such  a  deep  hatred  existed  between  the  Indians  and 
pioneers,  which  continued  until  the  treaty  concluded  by 
General  \\'ayne  in  1795.  Several  attempts  were  made 
to  check  the  depredations  of  the  savages  upon  these 
frontier  settlements,  but  with  varying  success. 

General  St.  Clair  organized  an  expedition  against 
the  Indians,  and  with  less  than  two  thousand  soldiers 
came  to  the  Wabash  River,  where  his  army  was  en- 
circled by  a  thousand  and  fifty  Indians;  and  a  terrible 
battle  ensued,  eight  hundred  and  ninety-four  of  his 
men  being  killed  within  a  few  hours;  and  the  others 
fled.  The  result  of  this  battle  greatly  emboldened  the 
Indians.  General  Anthony  Wayne,  a  heroic  soldier 
of  the  Revolution,  organized  an  army  of  three  thou- 
sand men,  and  marched  from  Cincinnati  to  Green- 
ville, the  rendezvous  of  the  hostile  savages.     He  made 


26 


OHIO   METHODISM. 


o^enerons  proposals  of  peace,  but  they  were  rejected. 
On  Aiici^nst  20.    1794,  near  the  present  site  of  Alau- 


\l    I    n  R  ST.  CLAIR. 


mee  City,  he  attacked  and  signally  defeated  the  Indian 
tribes  of  the  Northwest.     He  and  his  army  retired  to 


THE   FIELD.  2"] 

rireenville,  and  arrani^ed  and  concluded  a  treaty  upon 
August  3,  1795,  which  was  participated  in  l)y  eleven 
hundred  and  thirty  Indians. 

This  treaty  established  peace  on  the  frontier,  and 
opened  the  way  for  a  more  rapid  settlement  of  Ohio. 
The  Territory  in  1798  had  five  thousand  male  inhal)it- 
ants  of  full  ap^e.  They  were  now  entitled  to  elect  a 
legislative  assembly,  and  this  was  done  the  December 
following.  The  Territorial  Government  continued 
until  1803,  when  Ohio,  with  a  population  of  sixty 
thousand,  was  admitted  to  the  sisterhood  and  Union 
of  the  States,  where  her  career  was  to  be  an  important 
factor  in  the  history  of  the  Union.  At  the  close  of  the 
first  century  of  the  history  of  Ohio  we  see  the  im- 
perfect alliance  between  the  early  settlers  succeeded 
by  an  organized  union  of  eighty-eight  counties,  "ex- 
uberant with  vigor,  proudly  independent  in  local 
affairs,  but  for  national  concerns  compacted  into  a 
unity  which  nothing  but  the  splitting  of  the  continent 
can  disturb." 

This  short  review  of  the  early  settlement  and  the 
formation  of  Ohio  will  prepare  us  in  some  measure 
to  consider  the  resources  and  industrial  agencies 
which  exist  at  the  present  time.  The  feeble  and  re- 
mote beginnings  in  Ohio's  history  hardly  prepare  us 
to  comprehend  the  remarkable  growth  in  everything 
that  goes  to  make  up  civilized  life.  For  several  years 
the  cost  of  transportation  checked  the  settlers  by  limit- 
ing them  to  a  domestic  market.  The  only  means  they 
had  of  communicating  with  accessible  markets  was 
by  pack-horses,  which  w^re  soon  displaced  by  Penn- 
sylvania wagons,  drawn  by  four  or  six  h3r3es.     The 


28  OHIO  METHODISM. 

roads  at  first  were  only  obscure  and  winding  paths 
in  trackless  forests.  But  Congress  in  1806  ordered 
the  construction  of  a  national  road  between  Ohio  at 
Wheeling,  and  Cumberland,  Maryland.  The  road  was 
completed  in  1825  at  a  cost  of  more  than  two  million 
dollars.  Almost  two-thirds  of  this  amount  was  pro- 
vided from  the  proceeds  of  Ohio  land-sales.  The  sum 
of  one  million  two  hundred  and  thirteen  thousand  dol- 
lars was  likewise  expended  by  Ohio  on  that  part  of  the 
road  lying  within  the  State's  domain.  This  road  be- 
came the  highway  of  national  activity,  and  gave  an 
outlet  for  the  immense  productions  of  the  State,  and 
helped  to  relieve  the  depression  created  by  the  absence 
of  commerce,  as  well  as  to  bring  a  great  influx  of 
population. 

Commerce  was  likewise  retarded  on  the  Ohio  River 
for  lack  of  transportation.  Keel-boats  and  sail-barges 
and  other  frail  and  unmanageable  crafts  were  in  use 
until  181 1.  Shortly  after,  steam  navigation  proved 
a  success.  The  first  steamboat  in  the  Ohio  River  left 
Pittsburg,  and  sailed  down  the  Ohio  about  181 1. 
This  brought  about  industrial  and  commercial  changes 
which  have  proved  very  beneficial  to  the  country. 

Prior  to  this  time  the  entire  commerce  of  Lake 
Erie  was  carried  by  half  a  dozen  little  schooners.  It 
was  not  until  1818  that  the  first  steamer  appeared  on 
Lake  Erie.  At  the  present  time  there  are  more  than 
three  thousand  vessels  plying  on  her  waters,  with 
more  than  a  million  pounds  of  tonnage,  whose  value 
exceeds  fifty  million  dollars. 

The  canals  were  likewise  an  important  factor  in 
aiding  Western  growth.     The  Erie  Canal,  extending 


THE  FIELD.  29 

from  Buffalo,  five  hundred  and  thirteen  miles  in 
length,  was  begun  in  181 1  and  completed  in  1825. 
The  Ohio  Canal,  connecting  Lake  Erie  with  the  Ohio 
River  by  the  way  of  the  Muskingum  and  Scioto  \"al- 
leys,  and  the  Miami  Canal,  connecting  Cincinnati, 
Dayton,  and  Toledo,  were  both  authorized  in  1825 
by  the  Legislature  of  Ohio.  These  canals,  forming 
a  waterway  of  seven  hundred  and  eighty-two  miles, 
were  constructed  at  an  expense  of  more  than  fifteen 
million  dollars.  They  produced  a  healthful  influence 
upon  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  State.  They 
were  the  means  of  enhancing  the  value  of  land,  en- 
couraging immigration,  and  raised  the  prices  of  grain 
and  other  products  more  than  fifty  per  cent. 

The  railroads  mark  another  epoch  in  the  history 
of  Ohio,  and  they  soon  became  rivals  of  the  canals. 
The  first  railroad  was  incorporated  in  1832,  and  was 
to  connect  Dayton  with  Sandusky.  A  portion  of  the 
road  was  open  in  1838,  and  completed  in  1841.  Now 
a  railroad  system  covers  the  State  with  bands  of  iron; 
and  every  city,  village,  and  county  is  in  communication 
w^ith  the  outside  world.  Scarcely  half  a  century  has 
elapsed  since  the  first  railroad  was  completed;  and 
to-day  Ohio  has  more  than  twelve  thousand  miles  of 
railroad,  valued  at  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  million 
dollars.  These  facts  convey  but  a  faint  idea  of  the 
gigantic  power  of  this  great  civilizing  agency  and 
thoroughfare  of  the  people.  These  iron  highways  have 
opened  up  new  markets,  and  have  had  a  remarkable 
influence  upon  the  prosperity  of  Ohio.  The  volume 
of  trade  has  increased  with  their  growth.  Their  in- 
fluence   upon    agriculture    is    especially    remarkable. 


30  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Prior  to  railroads,  oats  and  corn  brought  eight  and 
ten  cents  a  bushel,  and  wheat  thirty  and  forty  cents. 
Beef  and  pork  sold  for  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  a 
hundred.  Tlie  railroads  have  been  instrumental  in 
doubling  the  ])rice  of  flour,  tripling  the  price  of  hogs, 
and  (juadrupling  the  price  of  corn.  The  Ohio  farmers 
have  gained  millions  of  dollars  through  the  introduc- 
tion of  railroads.  Their  effect  was  to  quicken  the 
spirit  of  progress,  increase  public  confidence,  stimulate 
immigration,  and  give  a  touch  of  new  life  to  agri- 
culture and  manufactories  and  all  kinds  of  business. 

The  material  resources  are  likewise  encouraging. 
The  coal-fields  in  Ohio  are  ten  thousand  square  miles 
in  extent,  and  estimated  to  have  an  average  layer  of 
nine  feet.  The  total  product  of  coal  in  Ohio  for  1891 
was  more  than  thirteen  million  tons.  The  iron  indus- 
try in  Ohio  was  set  on  foot  as  early  as  1804;  but  the 
making  of  iron  first  began  in  1829.  This  industry  has 
had  an   almost  uninterrupted   career  of  activity. 

The  agricultural  statistics  for  1891  show  a  prodi- 
gious amount  of  farm  products.  The  entire  cereal  crop 
of  Ohio  for  this  year  aggregated  over  forty  million 
bushels.  For  the  same  year  Ohio  produced  eighteen 
million  two  hundred  and  eighteen  thousand  pounds 
of  cheese,  forty-six  million  dozen  of  eggs,  and  about 
nineteen  million  pounds  of  wool.  Certainly  these 
figures  are  not  bare  and  uninteresting  when  we  con- 
sider that  these  products  afford  every  citizen  of  Ohio 
an  abundance  to  eat  and  wear,  and  prove  a  blessing 
to  his  own  land  and  to  other  nations. 

In  the  early  settlements  ''there  was  little  money; 
and  business  was  chiefly  in  barter  for  peltries,  ginseng, 


THE    FIELD.  3 1 

beeswax,  and  such  products  as  could  l)e  Iransporled 
by  pack-horses.  Cut-money,  or  sharp-shins,  was  a 
curious  necessity  of  the  times.  For  want  of  small 
change  the  coins^  chiefly  Spanish,  were  cut  into 
quarters,  and  so  circulated."  The  j^inching  poverty 
of  the  early  times  has  been  followed  by  extraordinary 
wealth,  and  Ohio  now  ranks  among  the  richest  States 
in  the  Union.  The  real  and  personal  property  in  Ohio 
in  1890  was  more  than  seven  billion  dollars,  which  was 
more  than  the  entire  value  of  property  in  the  United 
States,  as  shown  in  the  census  of  1850.  If  this  amount 
were  divided  among  the  families  residing  in  ( )hio,  they 
would  each  receive  nearly  two  thousand  dollars. 

Besides  the  good  roads  and  the  material  resources 
and  great  financial  strength  of  the  State,  (Jhio  ranks 
among  the  foremost  States  of  the  Union  in  the  variety, 
extent,  and  application  of  human  skill  to  all  forms  of 
industry.  She  rivals  other  States  in  her  manufacturing 
interests,  and  has  more  manufacturing  towns  than  any 
other  State  in  the  Union. 

Ohio,  likewise,  occupies  the  proud  position  of  being 
foremost  among  all  the  States  in  educational  matters. 
She  has  the  largest  percentage  of  youth  in  her  insti- 
tutions of  learning,  and  spends  one-tenth  of  all  the 
money  used  in  the  United  States  for  school  purposes. 

The  early  pioneers  gave  attention  to  the  education 
of  the  voulh.  They  recognized  that  intellectual  ad- 
vancement must  go  hand  in  hand  with  progress  in 
material  things.  The  founders  of  many  of  the  Colonies 
were  men  of  education.  Schools  and  the  means  of 
education  were  encouraged  by  legislative  provisions. 
Two  townships  were  set  apart  by  the  Ohio  Company 


32  OHIO   METHODISM. 

for  a  college,  and  one  in  the  Miami  Purchase  for  an 
academy.  Congress  had  likewise  set  aside  one  thirty- 
sixth  of  all  the  land  in  the  State  for  the  foundation 
of  public  schools.  However,  the  free-school  system 
was  not  established  until  1826.  Prior  to  this  act  of  the 
Legislature  every  township  in  the  State  was  provided 
with  private  schools. 

The  public  schools  in  Ohio  have  grown  to  colossal 
proportions.  The  least  number  of  schoolhouses  in 
any  township  in  the  State  is  four,  and  the  largest 
number  is  twenty-seven.  In  189 1  there  were  enrolled 
one  million  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  thousand  six 
hundred  and  sixty-seven  youth  of  school  age;  and 
of  these,  seven  hundred  and  fifty-seven  thousand  three 
hundred  and  fifty-two  were  attending  school,  and  were 
taught  by  twenty-five  thousand  and  ninety-nine 
teachers. 

Besides  our  public  schools,  Ohio  has  numerous 
colleges  and  universities.  At  the  beginning  of  this 
century  there  was  only  one  college  and  a  very  few 
schools;  now  there  are  thirty-seven  colleges  and  uni- 
versities, with  a  permanent  endov/ment  of  more  than 
eight  million  dollars.  There  were  in  1896  some  sixteen 
thousand  young  men  and  eight  thousand  young 
women  attending  the  colleges  and  the  professional 
schools  in  the  State.  This  shows  that  Ohio  is  educat- 
ing more  students  than  any  other  State  in  the  Union. 
In  addition  to  our  school  system  and  colleges  and 
professional  schools  there  are  more  than  one  thousand 
newspapers  and  magazines  published  within  the  State, 
which  become  the  exponents  of  the  people's  life  and 
civilization.     We  believe  it  not  too  much  to  sav  that 


THE  FIELD.  33 

the  average  intelligence  of  the  people  of  Ohio  is  equal 
to,  if  not  above,  any  other  State  in  the  Union. 

These  fragmentary  outlines  of  the  growth  of  Ohio 
may  serve  to  remind  us  of  what  astonishing  changes 
have  occurred  during  the  first  century  of  our  history. 
The  mere  chronicling  of  facts  and  the  depicting  of 
leading  events  docs  not  satisfy  the  inquiring  mind. 
Men  naturally  seek  for  the  constituent  elements  and  the 
forces  underlying  the  history  of  phenomena,  in  order 
to  discover  their  deep  meaning  and  significance. 

All  social  progress  has  an  historical  preparation. 
One  of  the  hidden  forces  at  work  in  the  phenomenal 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  State  of  Ohio  is  found  in 
environment.  The  early  pioneers  had  favorable  sur- 
roundings. One  of  the  chief  elements  in  the  material 
progress  has  been  the  prodigious  resources  and  fertile 
soil  of  the  country. 

The  mere  material  environment,  however,  is  a 
small  matter  in  comparison  with  the  personal  charac- 
teristics of  the  early  settlers.  These  are  important 
factors,  which  go  to  make  up  our  estimate  of  the  forces 
at  work  to  produce  some  of  the  results  given. 

I.  The  early  pioneers  started  out  zcitJi  strong  physical 
energies.  They  could  look  back  through  a  long  period 
of  noble  ancestry  who  had  bequeathed  to  them  a  native 
vigor,  social  aptitudes,  and  a  moral  capacity  which 
gave  promise  of  a  rich  and  progressive  civilization. 
They  were,  generally  speaking,  men  of  sterling  char- 
acter. The  majority  possessed  a  spirit  of  industry,  in- 
tegrity, and  the  fear  of  God.  They  might  well  rank 
among  nature's  noblemen.  They  came  into  the  new 
country  without  wealth;  but  they  had  what  was  far 
3 


34  OHIO   METHODISM. 

l)etter, — noble  purposes,  elevated  aspirations,  and  firm 
faith  in  God.  Men  with  such  characters  are  a  sufficient 
guarantee  in  the  formation  of  individual  and  national 
])rosperity.  Our  history  has  been  largely  but  the  un- 
folding of  what  was  folded  in  the  nature  of  those 
pioneers. 

2.  They  were  likewise  men  of  intense  activity.  They 
were  trained  to  labor.  A  vital  condition  of  civilization 
is  strenuous,  persistent  labor.  Wherever  these  settlers 
went,  the  place  became  a  scene  of  intense  activity. 
Whatever  changes  have  brought  distinction  to  Ohio, 
have  been  wrought  by  the  patient  endurance  and  he- 
roic efforts  of  these  settlers.  Their  toilsome  journey 
to  their  future  homes  was  made  without  a  road  to 
guide  them.  They  entered  a  dreary  and  unbroken 
forest  to  find  no  hotel,  and  were  often  separated  by 
miles  from  their  nearest  neighbor.  "Their  first  ne- 
cessity," says  Rufus  King,  "was  to  girdle  the  trees, 
and  grub  a  few  acres  for  a  corn-crop  and  a  truck- 
patch,  sufficient  for  a  season.  As  soon  as  the  logs 
were  cut,  a  cabin  was  built  with  the  aid  of  neighbors. 
But  food,  rather  than  shelter,  was  the  severest  want 
of  the  pioneers.  True,  the  woods  were  full  of  game; 
but  venison,  turkey,  and  bear-meat  all  the  time,  be- 
came tiresome  enough.  There  was  no  bread  nor  salt. 
The  scanty  salt-springs  were  therefore  precious. 
The  Indian  corn,  when  once  started,  was  the  chief 
reliance  for  man  and  beast.  The  furniture  of  the 
cabins  and  the  dress  of  the  people  necessarily  partook 
of  the  same  absolutely  rustic  simplicity.  Excellent 
tables,  cupboards,  and  benches  were  made  of  poplar 
and  beech  woods.     The  buckeye  furnished  not  only 


THE  FIELD.  35 

bowls  and  platters  for  all  who  had  no  tin  or  queens- 
ware,  but  also  the  split-bottom  chair  still  in  popular 
use.  Bearskins  were  bed  and  bedding.  The  deer- 
skin, dressed  and  undressed,  was  very  much  used  for 
clothing;  and  the  skins  of  the  raccoon  and  rabbit 
formed  a  favorite  headgear.  But  wool  and  f^ax  soon 
abounded,  and  spinning-wheels  and  looms  became 
standard  articles  in  every  house.  The  home-made 
tow  linen  and  woolens,  or  mixed  flannels,  linseys,  and 
jeans  constituted  the  chief  materials  for  clothing." 

It  w^as  fortunate  that  the  land  laws  were  modified 
at  the  very  beginning  of  the  early  settlers  so  as  to  give 
each  emigrant  the  right  to  purchase  one-fourth  sec- 
tion of  land  at  tw^o  dollars  an  acre  on  a  credit  of  five 
years.  The  effect  of  this  was  that  a  multitude  of 
emigrants  w'ere  induced  to  settle  in  Ohio  and  become 
freeholders.  They  were  willing  to  grapple  with  the 
forest,  subdue  the  soil,  practice  economy,  in  view  of 
the  rew^ard  of  a  home  and  friends.  The  idea  of  pos- 
sessing property  w^as  the  root  idea  of  their  social  prog- 
ress. The  necessities  of  life,  the  virginity  of  the  soil 
opening  resources  and  inviting  opportunities,  w^ere  the 
outw^ard  occasions  that  challenged  them  to  faithful 
exertions  for  food  and  comfort  and  the  blessings  of 
civilized  life.  Their  early  privations  and  hardships 
produced  a  new^  vigor  w^hich  has  stimulated  every  im- 
portant industry  in  the  State. 

3.  Another  characteristic  of  these  earlv  settlers  w^as 
that  ihcy  believed  in  self -protection.  They  grew^in  charac- 
ter and  power  because  they  were  ready  to  defend  and 
preserve  what  their  labor  had  secured.  They  wrestled 
and    struggled    against    physical    forces,    severity    of 


36  OHIO  METHODISM. 

climate,  fierceness  of  beasts,  and  the  hostility  and 
brutality  of  savai^cs.  These  strugi^les  strengthened 
character,  nurtured  manhood,  and  incited  to  heroic 
deeds.  From  the  harsh,  sterile  conditions  men  have 
g"one  fortli,  conspicuous  for  energ-y  and  valor.  The 
early  pioneers  not  only  heroically  struggled  in  all  the 
expeditions  in  their  aggressive  warfare  against  the 
Indians,  but  in  1812  Ohio  was  called  upon  to  help 
engage  in  the  disastrous  and  bloody  war  against  Great 
Britain.  Three  regiments  were  first  sent  into  the  field. 
The  following  year  several  brigades  of  militia  were 
called  out  to  resist  the  British  invasion.  This  war 
caused  great  sacrifice.  An  eyewitness  described  the 
country  as  ''depopulated  of  men,  and  the  farmer 
women,  weak  and  sickly  as  they  often  were,  and  sur- 
rounded by  their  helpless  little  children,  were  obliged, 
for  want  of  bread,  to  till  their  field,  until  frequently 
they  fell  exhausted  and  dying  under  the  toil  to  which 
they  were  unequal.  The  horrors  and  the  fearful  suf- 
ferings of  the  first  year  of  the  war  can  never  be  for- 
gotten by  the  people  of  that  generation." 

An  incident  in  this  war  will  illustrate  the  heroic 
spirit  of  the  times.  In  181 3  General  Proctor,  a  British 
officer,  besieged  Fort  Stevenson  at  Lower  Sandusky, 
now  Fremont — garrisoned  by  only  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men  under  Major  Croghan,  a  brave  young  sol- 
dier, only  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Proctor  called 
upon  the  garrison  to  surrender  in  order  to  escape 
massacre.  The  heroic  Croghan  answered  that,  when 
the  fort  was  taken,  a  massacre  would  do  no  harm,  for 
none  of  its  defenders  would  be  left  alive.  Croghan  had 
but  one  cannon.     By  firing  it  from  different  places, 


THE   FIELD.  37 

he  tried  to  make  the  enemy  believe  that  he  was  well 
provided  with  artillery.  The  British  concluded  to  take 
the  fort  by  storm.  Croghan  concealed  his  cannon  so 
as  to  sweep  the  ditch  through  which  they  had  to  pass. 
When  the  ditch  was  full  of  men,  he  opened  fire  with 
deadly  effect.  The  British  now  retreated  after  a  loss 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  while  the  Americans  had 
but  one  killed  and  seven  wounded.  Croghan  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  colonel,  and  the  ladies  of 
Chillicothe  gave  him  an  elegant  sword. 

The  war  soon  ended.  Under  the  leadership  of  Gen- 
eral W.  H.  Harrison  and  Commodore  O.  H.  Perry, 
the  enemy  were  repulsed  and  defeated.  After  the  Ohio 
campaign  the"  war  terminated,  and  the  people  were 
again  left  in  peace.  Of  the  fifty  thousand  soldiers  that 
sustained  the  Government  in  the  War  of  Mexico  in 
1848,  Ohio  raised  and  maintained  five  thousand  five 
hundred  and  thirty-six  volunteers,  who  did  valuable 
service  for  their  country.  This  heroic  display  of  self- 
protection  was  magnificently  displayed  at  a  later  pe- 
riod in  the  history  of  Ohio. 

When  the  Civil  W^ar  broke  out  in  i860,  Ohio  took 
prompt  and  energetic  actio-n  in  suppressing  the  re- 
bellion, and  in  vindicating  the  national  power.  Ohio 
furnished  one-tenth  of  the  whole  army  during  this 
severe  struggle.  Three  hundred  and  nineteen  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  fifty-nine  soldiers  responded  to 
the  call  to  defend  th.e  Nation.  The  career  of  her 
officers  and  soldiers  is  the  glory  and  pride  of  the 
Nation.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  most  of  the  dis- 
tinguished officers  in  the  army  were  born  or  trained 
in  Ohio.    Among  the  great  gene'rals  are  Grant,  Rose- 


38  OHIO  METHODISM. 

crans,  Sherman,  Sheridan,  McPherson,  Gilmore,  Cox, 
McDowell,  Buell,  O.  M.  Mitchel,  Schenck,  Garfield, 
Steedman,  Crook,  Keifer,  and  Hayes.  Stanton,  Lin- 
coln's War  Secretary,  was  born  at  Steubenville.  Sal- 
mon P.  Chase  was  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  "the 
father  of  our  National  Bank  system."  These  distin- 
guished leaders  were  the  exponents  of  a  people  of  like 
character,  who  gave  them  prominence,  and  sustained 
them  by  suffering  and  sacrifice.  Thus  we  see  that 
whenever  the  people's  liberties  were  invaded,  or  their 
rights  questioned,  they  were  ready  to  maintain  them 
with  such  means  and  ends  as  they  could  command. 

Likewise  many  of  the  struggles  on  moral  questions 
have  required  as  much  nerve  and  conviction  as  any 
of  the  great  struggles  in  the  W' ar ;  the  people  who  have 
been  noted  for  their  independence  in  expressing  con- 
victions and  aiding  all  moral  reforms,  have  thus 
gained  dignity  and  ])ower,  because  they  have  ever  been 
willing  to  resist  whatever  limited  or  endangered  the 
social  welfare. 

4.  The  early  pioneers  w-ere  likewise  public-spirited. 
They  studied  the  public  welfare,  and  showed  a  readi- 
ness to  make  free  and  intelligent  self-sacrifices  for  the 
general  good.  People  of  such  diversified  character- 
istics and  tempers  have  been  prompt  to  subordinate 
all  local  and  individual  aims  to  the  public  welfare, 
believing  that  personal  interests  are  essentially  in- 
volved in  ail  that  goes  to  promote  the  good  of  the 
commonwealth.  This  self-sacrificing  temper  has  been 
one  of  the  chief  characteristics  of  a  great  number  of 
large-minded  men  in  Ohio,  whenever  they  felt  that 
the  State  was  passing  through  a  crisis. 


THE   FIELD.  39 

5.  The  early  pioneers  also  possessed  strong  moral 
and  religions  ideas.  They  believed  in  the  co-operative 
forces  of  religious  principles  to  build  up  a  national 
life.  The  ordinance  of  1787  declares  that  religion, 
moraiity,  and  knowledge  are  necessary  for  good  gov- 
ernment and  the  happiness  of  mankind;  schools  and 
the  means  for  education  shall  forever  be  encouraged. 
In  harmony  with  this  declaration  the  laws  of  the  Ohio 
Company  made  it  obligatory  for  every  person  to  keep 
the  Sabbath  by  attending  some  place  of  religious  wor- 
ship agreeable  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience. 
They  recognized  the  Bible  as  the  greatest  civilizing 
force  on  earth.  Herbert  Spencer  and  others  of  a 
similar  school,  in  attempting  to  account  for  social 
progress,  make  it  the  result  of  an  unconscious  evolu- 
tion; but  the  early  pioneers  believe  that  it  was  the 
outgrowth  of  a  personal  vitality.  They  believed  that 
they  were  linked  to  God.  They  felt  that  the  hope  of 
the  Nation,  which  they  were  founding,  could  not  rest 
upon  material  agencies  or  industrial  greatness,  but 
upon  the  simple  teachings  of  Jesus.  Here  was  the 
beginning  of  the  essential  secret  of  the  extraordinary 
progress  of  Ohio.  Buckle,  in  his  History,  ignores 
the  moral  element  in  social  progress.  He  believes 
that  all  civilization  has  been  grounded  in  the  soil, 
and  that  wherever  men  are  free  to  fight  with  na- 
ture, and  subdue  the  soil,  there  you  will  find  the 
highest  civilization.  This  statement  can  not  be 
verified  when  you  come  to  study  the  civilization 
of  Ohio.  The  progress  of  the  clifY-dwellers  and 
mound-builders  that  inhabited  many  parts  of  this 
country,  was  begun  and  carried  to  a  considerable  de- 


40  OHIO  METHODISM. 

gree  of  success,  and  then  was  for  some  cause  fatally 
interrupted.  More  than  ten  thousand  earthworks, 
including  mounds,  efifigies,  and  inclo-sures,  found 
within  the  territorial  limits  of  Ohio,  speak  of  their 
great  antiquity  before  the  settlement  by  the  Indian 
tribes.  Certainly  these  mo-und-builders  were  under 
favorable  conditions  and  blessed  with  pleasant  environ- 
ment; but  they  never  became  a  strong  and  advancing 
society. 

''These  smiling  heavens  beamed  as  brightly  over 
them  as  over  us,"  says  R.  S.  Storrs.  "The  waters  were 
as  near,  the  open  fields  were  as  inviting  to  them  as 
to  us;  and  no  intervening  commerce  has  brought  to 
any  part  of  our  country  one  element  of  wealth,  in  mine 
or  quarry,  in  rippling  stream  or  opulent  hillside,  which 
was  not  as  present  to  them  as  to  us.  It  is  something 
behind  all  natural  environment  wdiich  gives  to  a  people 
the  promise  of  progress.  We  have  not  found  the 
secret  of  this  when  we  have  measured  the  mountains 
in  scales,  and  have  counted  the  hills ;  when  the  acreage 
of  tillable  land  has  been  reckoned,  and  the  push  of 
streams  against  millwheels  has  been  stated  in  figures. 
The  depth  saith.  It  is  not  in  me!  and  the  sea  saith,  I 
can  not  declare  it!  Neither  sunshine  nor  dew,  the  fat- 
tening rains,  nor  the  breath  of  long  summer,  can  build 
feeble  communities  into  great  commonwealths,  or 
crown  the  regions  wdiich  they  make  attractive  with 
the  triumphs  and  trophies  of  a  noble  and  happy  human 
society." 

The  Indian  tribes  likewise  never  attained  civili- 
zation, and  were  even  unready  to  accept  it  when  it 
was  brought  to  them.     They  stolidly  resisted  the  new 


THE   FIELD.  4I 

arts  and  nobler  inventions  of  advancing  civilization. 
They  did  not  prove  susceptible  to  the  aspirations  and 
the  pure  and  refining  moral  natures  of  the  early 
pioneers.  Savage  grossness  had  so  impressed  itself 
upon  their  spirits  that  they  were,  for  the  time  being, 
practically  deprived  of  all  the  moral  and  physical 
elements  that  go.  to  make  civilization  possible.  Thus 
we  see  that  this  vast  tribal  federation,  rich  in  physical 
greatness,  has  perished  for  the  one  of  sovereign  force, 
of  supernal  ideas.  These  facts  show  to"  us  that  all 
social  progress,  to  be  vital  and  organic,  must  have 
large  conceptions  of  the  brotherhood  of  man  and  the 
Fatherhood  of  God,  to  re-enforce  the  mind  and  spirit 
of  the  people,  and  help  them  to  sustain  their  energy 
in  building  up  the  highest  forms  of  civilization.  It  is 
certain  that  the  moral  ideas  and  impressions  were  the 
supreme  forces  in  developing  our  present  resources. 
These  subtle  moral  impressions  of  the  early  pioneers 
and  their  posterity  have  had  more  to:  do  with  the 
progress  of  Ohio  than  the  grandest  endowments  of  na- 
ture. Their  stimulating  faith  and  dominating  moral 
ideas  were  among  the  sovereign  forces  that  have  en- 
abled them  to  disp-lay  such  an  energy  in  subduing  the 
soil,  and  in  building  a  State  whose  power  and  influence 
is  a  just  cause  for  pride  and  exultation-  by  all  her  cit- 
izens. These  inherited  moral  qualities,  transmitted  and 
preserved,  have  overcome  ail  unfavorable  conditions 
of  the  soil  and  climate,  and  have  enabled  the  people 
to  preserve  this  national  life,  and  achieve"  great  dis- 
tinction among  the  nations  of  the  world.  It  is  evi- 
dent that  the  moral  force  has  been  primary  and  car- 
dinal in  our  growth,  while  all  the  natural  circumstances 


42  OHIO   METHODISM. 

of  favorable  climate,  virgin  soil,  broad  rivers,  extensive 
forests  and  mineral  resources,  as  secondary  and 
accessory  forces,  have  produced  the  happiest  effects 
in  the  growth  of  the  commonwealth. 

The  growth  of  Ohio  reveals  a  deep  historic  phi- 
losophy and  significance.  The  whole  trend  of  history 
shows  that  it  is  continuous  and  connected.  The  stream 
of  historic  tendency  is  directed  by  an  overruling  Prov- 
idence, and  maintained  by  a  Divine  energy.  We  would 
be  untrue  to  the  teachings  of  history,  if  we  were  to 
fail  to  connect  the  external  series  of  events  and  phe- 
nomena of  the  first  century  of  our  history  with  God's 
plans  and  purposes.  They  are  connected  and  inter- 
mingled, in  such  a  way  as  to  reveal  a  Divine  hand  that 
has  taken  up  the  thread  of  human  action,  and  deter- 
mined and  guided  its  course.  If  then  we  would  find 
the  real  interpretation  of  our  historic  progress,  we 
must  trace  the  forces  at  work  back  to  God.  Many 
of  these  forces  are  potential  in  man's  nature;  but  be- 
low all  events  and  individual  actions  are  the  under- 
lying forces  and  principles  and  designs  of  God  work- 
ing to  help  man  realize  his  true  personality. 

When  we  come  to  make  application  of  these  great 
principles  to  the  concrete  examples  traceable  in  the 
early  settlement  and  growth  of  Ohio,  we  discover  that 
in  some  mysterious  way  God  was  making  preparation 
for  the  events  that  w^ere  to  follow.  Look  at  some 
of  the  facts.  It  was  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  years 
after  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  before  the 
first  settlement  was  made  in  Ohio.  These  were  years 
of  preparation;  and  posterity  was  being  trained  and 


THE   FIELD.  43 

disciplined  and  made  ready  for  a  grander  and  wider 
sphere  in  the  great  West.  The  French  and  ln(han 
War  had  taught  the  Colonists  the  use  of  arms,  so  that 
they  were  ready  to  defend  their  liberty. 

6.  They  were  likewise  schooled  in  sclf-govcrjunciit. 
They  had  not  only  a  pro-found  respect  for  law  and 
order  and  constituted  authority,  but  the  people  had 
been  trained  to  public  administration  in  local  congre- 
gations, township-meetings,  and  provincial  assemblies, 
so  that  all  these  agencies  were  at  work  to  raise  up  a 
class  of  earnest  and  consecrated  men  wdio  should  be- 
come leaders  and  pioneer  settlers  in  the  West.  The 
heroic  ideas,  principles,  and  doctrines  of  these  early 
pioneers  were  formulated  by  the  time  they  established 
their  first  colonies,  and  they  imbedded  them  in  their 
law^s.  Conspicuous  among  these  laws  w^as  that  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty.  These  principles  had 
gained  such  a  powerful  foothold  in  the  Eastern  Colo- 
nies, that,  when  they  came  to  lay  the  foundation  of 
the  new  empire,  these  ideas  were  incorporated  in  their 
laws. 

They  believed  that  religion  had  an  important  re- 
lation to  the  welfare  of  the  people,  and  introduced  its 
teachings.  Religious  toleration  had  but  barely  tri- 
umphed w'hen  they  left  the  Colonies  to  settle  in  Ohio, 
and  now  they  wanted  every  man  wdio  came  among 
them  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  his 
own  conscience.  Had  the  French  or  English  civili- 
zation prevailed,  we  might  have  had  a  Union  of 
Church  and  State.  This  would  give  to  the  Church 
special   rights,   and   privileges   to  one   faith,   with   the 


44  OtnO  METHODISM. 

State  to  support  and  sustain  it.  Such  a  condition 
would  have  been  fraught  with  evil,  both  to  our  civil 
and  religious  liberty. 

The  ideas  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  are  the 
essential  principles  in  human  nature;  and  we  must 
accept  and  expand  these  in  an  organic  and  living 
manner  if  we  are  to  secure  the  largest  development. 
Certainly  there  was  no  more  opportune  time  for  the 
achievement  of  this  great  need  that  was  struggling 
for  realization.  As  we  study  the  minds  and  character- 
istics of  the  early  pioneers,  we  see  how  their  thoughts 
and  deeds  have  been  the  chief  elements  and  agencies 
out  of  which  has  come  all  that  is  noble  and  elevating 
in  our  present  civilization. 

Again,  the  Divine  hand  was  seen  in  the  displace- 
ment of  the  French  and  English  civilizations  for  that 
of  a  more  advanced  American  type.  The  events  in  our 
history  w^ere  so  ordered  that  French  ideas  of  civili- 
zation should  be  superseded  by  the  higher  idea  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty  which  were  so  favorably  de- 
veloped in  the  early  colonies.  He  who  rules  the  affairs 
of  mankind  has  apparently  selected,  endowed,  and 
trained  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  to  serve  him,  and  to 
carry  out  his  purposes  of  grace  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth.  He  does  not  exert  his  power  arbitrarily,  but  by 
means;  and  as  we  study  the  great  events  of  our 
national  life,  we  can  not  doubt  that  God  has  been 
forming  this  Nation,  especially  the  great  West,  as 
a  majestic  arena  for  the  victories  of  Christianity. 

Take  another  marvelous  indication  of  Providence. 
The    growth    of    population    in    Ohio    has    been    un- 


THE   FIELD.  45 

precedented.  The  entire  Northwestern  Territory  in 
1800  had  a  population  of  forty-five  thousand.  In  1810 
the  population  had  increased  to  two  hundred  and 
thirty  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  in  number, 
and  by  1830  it  made  a  gigantic  stride,  and  rose  to  nine 
hundred  and  thirty-seven  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
three.  Ohio  now  has  a  population  of  above  four 
millions,  which  is  more  than  the  thirteen  colonies  had 
when  they  declared  independence. 

Notice  the  marked  epochs  of  growth.  The  first 
epoch  followed  the  introduction  of  canals  in  1825, 
when  the  population  soon  reached  one  million  in  num- 
bers. The  second  epoch  began  with  the  introduction 
of  railroads  in  1840,  which  was  also  followed  by  a 
great  inflow  of  population.  A  cjuarter  of  a  century 
before  the  first  epoch  began,  the  Christian  Churches 
were  firmly  planted  in  Ohio,  They  had  given  char- 
acter and  direction  to  the  moral  and  religious  life  of 
the  early  pioneers,  who  in  turn  were  prepared  to  re- 
ceive and  powerfully  influence  for  good  the  emi- 
grants with  their  diverse  elements  of  character  that 
settled  among  them. 

The  Divine  purpose  appears  again  in  the  time  and 
manner  of  securing  the  first  charter  from  the  Govern- 
ment to  settle  in  the  West.  When  the  sentiment  of 
slavery  was  at  its  height,  and  the  early  colonies  had 
turned  their  attention  to  the  great  West,  the  appeals 
for  a  charter  in  1775  were  very  timely.  The  lessons 
of  the  Revolution  were,  in  a  measure,  forgotten  in 
one  section,  while  a  reaction  for  the  continuance  of 
slavery  had  taken  place.    When  this  charter  was  given, 


46  OHIO   METHODISM. 

it  was  then  possible  to  establish  civil  and  relig^ious 
liberty,  and  for  these  ideas  to  determine  the  r-haracter 
of  the  future  development  of  the  \\>st. 

The  State  of  Ohio  was  being  prepared  likewise 
for  the  leadership  of  the  great  West.  Here  it  was  that 
these  great  national  ideas  were  to  be  cradled  and 
scattered  into  every  new  State  and  .Territory.  Thus 
Ohio's  noblest  sons  and  daughters  have  l^een  reared 
up  and  trained  with  tliese  national  ideas,  and  have 
pushed  westward  to  form  new  societies  and  States. 
We  can  not  compute  the  efifect  of  this  emigration  by 
the  loss  in  Christian  power  to  our  own  social,  religious, 
and  political  life ;  but  one  thing  is  certain,  the  West  has 
been  made  the  richer  and  better  thereby.  The  outflow 
of  emigration  westward  from  Ohio,  from  the  year  1850 
to  1890,  has  been  something  remarkable.  It  was  esti- 
mated in  1880  that  Iowa,  Nebraska,  Wisconsin,  Kansas, 
and  Illinois  contained  five  hundred  and  eighteen  thou- 
sand people,  then  living,  wdio  were  born  in  Ohio.  Si- 
multaneously with  this  outflow,  there  has  been  an  inflow 
of  immigration  from  foreign  countries,  many  of  whom 
have  been  aliens;  and  the  original  descendants  of  the 
pioneers  have  been  left  to  mold  and  shape  this  some- 
what crude  material  to  our  ideas  of  American  citizen- 
ship. A  number  of  public  men  in  Indiana  came  from 
Ohio:  Hendricks,  Voorhees,  Harrison,  and  Mc- 
Donald. IMinnesota  has  been  blessed  by  some  of 
Ohio's  noblest  men,  such  as  Ex-Secretary  Windom 
and  others.  Ohio  has  had  a  m.ore  notable  interest  in 
Iowa  than  perhaps  in  any  other  State.  It  is  said  that 
one-half  the  distinguished  men  of  Iowa  came  from 
Ohio  or  New  England.     Senators  Wilson  and  Alison 


THE  FIELD.  47 

were  born  in  Ohio ;  and  McDill,  Kirkwood,  Ex-Gover- 
nor Clarkson,  and  many  others  came  from  Ohio. 
Most  of  these  men  were  sons  of  the  early  settlers  and 
the  products  of  good  families.  We  mention  these  cases 
to  show  how  the  ideas  and  purposes  of  the  early  pio- 
neers have  not  only  proved  a  great  blessing  to  Ohio, 
but  have  extended  themselves  throughout  the  West. 
.  We  have  thus  considered  Ohio  as  the  highway  of 
national  ideas,  and  where  the  highest  form  of  civil 
government  has  found  a  partial  realization.  No 
prophet  can  foretell  the  magnitude  of  results  yet  to  be 
realized.  In  our  study  of  the  physical  and  moral  con- 
ditions under  which  we  are  placed,  the  question  comes: 
Are  we  ready  to  perpetuate  the  cardinal  and  funda- 
mental principles  and  moral  ideas  to  a  fuller  realiza- 
tion in  our  day  and  generation?  We  have  a  work  to 
do  in  Ohio  which  will  require  much  fortitude  and  a 
most  heroic  energy.  We  will  prove  ourselves  worthy 
if  we  are  great  enough  to  appreciate  our  legacy,  and 
labor  to  realize  the  great  responsibility  and  work  that 
remains  for  us  to  achieve  in  the  future.  The  history 
of  Methodism  in  Ohio  shows  that  this  Church  has 
been,  under  God,  one  of  the  greatest  social  and  moral 
forces  in  the  State  in  conserving  and  promoting  the 
fundamental  principles  of  a  Christian  civilization,  and 
in  contributing  to  the  illustrious  triumphs  of  the 
gospel. 


Qiapter  11. 


"c^IiE  rise  of  Methodism  was  the  birth  of  a  spiritual  reform  of 
^^  which  all  Christian  denominations  of  Great  Britain  and  Amer- 
ica were  in  desperate  need.  ...  It  was  a  re-enforcement  of 
Apostolic  Christianity  also,  in  every  other  Christian  denomination 
in  the  English-speaking  nations  and  colonies.  We  have  all  felt  the 
throb  of  its  pulsations.  It  has  been  what  new  blood  is  to  falling 
dynasties  and  decadent  races." — Phelps. 


"(5^(^E  thus,  by  comparison,  see  what  was  the  secret  of  the  Wes- 
^^  leyan  movement.  Rejecting  the  cumbrous  rigidity  of  High- 
Churchmanship  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  ultra  extreme  of  the  doc- 
trine of  justification  by  faith  on  the  other,  Wesley  retained  an  ener- 
getic Church  polity,  and  a  true  doctrine  of  salvation  through  Christ. 
To  these  he  added  the  intensifying  doctrines  of  the  conscious  wit- 
ness of  the  Spirit  and  entire  sanctification,  and  insisted  on  their 
actual  realization  in  experimental  life.  His  entire  system  of  polity 
and  doctrine  and  life  thereby  strangely  presaged  and  harmonized 
with  modern  freedom  and  activity.  It  was  an  anticipation  of  our 
age.  It  was  the  morning-break  in  the  religious  world  of  the  mod- 
ern life." — Whcdon. 

^O  long  as  there  is  a  radical  difference  between  truth  and  false- 
*^  hood,  and  so  long  as  truth  sustains  relation  to  life,  it  will 
make  a  difference  whether  men  believe  true  or  false  doctrine.  Doc- " 
trines  are  the  roots  of  life.  Great  lives  do  not  grow  out  of  false 
beliefs.  Yes,  doctrine  is  immensely  important,  but  not  all-impor- 
tant." — -Josiah  Strong. 

'(ofe^ETHODISM  has  had  a  grand  mission  to  fulfill  in  modern 
^^  Christendom — a  mission  of  mediation  between  the  sects  on 
the  one  hand,  and  between  an  exclusive  Church  and  a  neglected 
world  on  the  other;  and  there  is  a  moral  majesty  in  the  firm  and 
sure  tread  with  which  it  has  marched  to  the  accomplishment  of  its 
work . ' ' —  Christia7t  Examiner. 


CHAPTER  II. 

ETHODISM  has  a  sublime  mission.  We  may 
1  V  1  estimate  her  value  in  the  world  by  what  she 
lias  done.  Perhaps  no  other  agent  has  done  more 
to  lift  humanity  to  a  higher  plane.  This  ac- 
complished mission  may  be  summed  up  in  the  fol- 
lowing marvelous  facts:  She  occupies  the  second 
largest  place  in  the  Protestant  world,  and  the 
first  among  English-speaking  people,  and  gives 
promise  of  becoming  the  dominant  form  of  faith. 
The  entire  membership  of  Methodism  in  the  United 
States  aggregates  nearly  six  millions,  and  has 
a  following  of  at  least  thirty  millions.  Her  past 
history  and  present  achievements  are  prophetic  of  still 
wider  and  grander  results.  A  correct  estimate  of  the 
early  mission  of  Methodism  can  not  be  formed  with- 
out understanding  the  conditions  of  English  society 
at  the  time  the  denomination  sprang  into  existence. 
The  spiritual  and  moral  dissolution  that  spread  over 
England  in  the  eighteenth  century  beggars  descrip- 
tion. The  corruption  was  general,  and  affected  both 
Church  and  State.  The  spiritual  life  imparted  to  the 
State  Church  by  the  Lutheran  Reformation  had  well- 
nigh  disappeared.  The  bulk  of  the  ministry  were  ''ig- 
norant" and  "indolent."  It  is  difficult  for  us  to  im- 
agine the  gross  ignorance  and  errors  of  doctrine,  the 
sectarian  bigotry  and  s])iritual  paralysis  of  that  period. 
Society  was  reeking  with  vice,  drunkenness,  and 
hypocrisy.  The  masses  were  ignorant  and  brutal, 
while  bribery  and  corruption  flourished  in  the  State. 

51 


52 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


The  time  was  ripe  for  Providence  to  raise  up  a 
leader  whose  deep  feehngs  and  burning  devotion 
should  prove  effectuahy  the  power  of  God  to  Hft  up 
a  sinful  nation.  John  Wesley,  born  at  Epworth  in 
1703,  was  this  providential  man.  He  sprang  from 
a  noble  stock.  His  father  was  an  earnest,  faithful,  and 
conscientious  preacher,  and  his  mother  a  woman  of 
fine  intellect,  devout  spirit,  and  good  common  sense. 


EPWORTH  RECTORY. 


Wesley  spent  thirteen  years  as  a  student  in  Oxford 
University,  where  his  intellect  was  thoroughly  dis- 
ciplined and  equipped  for  the  great  work  of  life.  It 
was  while  in  the  university  that  he  formed  his  ex- 
cellent resolution  to  devote  "all  my  life  to  God;  all 
my  thoughts,  words,  and  actions;  being  thoroughly 
convinced  that  there  is  no  medium,  but  that  every  part 
of  my  life  must  be  a  service  to  God,  or  to  myself,  which 
is  in  effect  to  the  devil."     This  remarkable  man  cer- 


THE  MISSION   OF  METHODISM.  53 

tainly  had  a  distinct  reli.c^ions  mission.  He  saw  the 
need  of  a  spiritual  elevation  in  England,  and  threw 
himself  with  intense  earnestness  into  the  great  crisis 
of  the  hour.  He  possessed  (jualities  which  singularly 
fitted  him  for  the  undertaking.  He  had  a  personal 
religious  experience,  clear  and  intelligent  convictions, 
and  a  well-balanced  mind.  He  thoroughly  grounded 
himself  in  the  Scriptures,  and  maintained  a  strong  faith 
in  the  providence  of  God.  He  ofTered  himself  as  a 
worker  of  God,  and  set  about  the  tremendous  task  of 
relieving-  the  spiritual  dearth  of  tlie  Church,  and  mak- 
ing war  upon  all  forms  of  evil.  His  magnetic  per- 
sonality and  impassioned  appeals  gave  him  great  in- 
fluence with  the  people.  One  historian  regards  him  as 
the  most  apostolic  man  that  ever  rose  in  England. 
John  Wesley  was  destined  to  exert  a  w^orld-wide  re- 
ligious influence.  He  was  an  arduous  worker.  He 
toiled  incessantly  through  a  long-  life  to  do  a  work 
for  God  and  humanity.  His  powerful  preaching  and 
his  personal  oversight  of  the  societies  he  established, 
and  his  struggle  against  evil,  rank  him  easily  among 
the  great  leaders  of  the  world's  history.  Justin  Mc- 
Carthy, the  historian,  says  of  him:  "He  brought  to  his 
w^ork  a  frame  of  adamant,  as  well  as  a  soul  of  fire.  No 
danger  frighted  him;  and  no  Ia1x3r  tired.  Rain,  hail, 
snow,  storm,  were  matters  of  indifference  to  him  when 
he  had  any  work  to  do.  One  reads  the  account  of 
the  toil  he  could  cheerfully  bear,  the  privations  he 
could  recklessly  undergo,  the  ])hysical  obstacles  he 
could  surmount,  with  what  woukl  be  a  feeling  of  in- 
credulity, were  it  possible  to  doubt  the  unquestion- 
able evidences  of  a  whole  crowd  of  heterogeneous  wit- 


54  OHIO   METHODISM, 

nesses.  Not  Mark  Antony,  not  Charles  XII,  not  Na- 
poleon, ever  went  through  such  physical  suffering  for 
the  love  of  war,  or  for  the  conqueror's  ambition,  as 
Wesley  was  accustomed  to  undergo  for  the  sake  of 
preaching  at  the  right  time  and  in  the  right  place 
to  some  crowd  of  ignorant  and  obscure  men,  the  con- 
version of  whom  could  bring  him  neither  fame  nor 
fortune." 

\\'esley  spent  fifty-five  years  in  preaching,  during 
which  time  it  is  estimated  that  he  traveled  over  two 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  miles  on  horseback,  and 
preached  more  than  forty-two  thousand  sermons,  and 
published  two  hundred  bo9ks  of  his  own  composition. 
He  also  made  an  entire  translation  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. 

The  mission  of  Alethodism  is  predominantly  evan- 
gelistic. It  began,  not  as  a  doctrinal  movement,  but 
as  a  spiritual  force.  The  truths  contained  in  Scrip- 
tural doctrine  were  something  more  than  formal  be- 
lief in  teaching;  they  were  to  be  felt  and  lived  by  the 
people.  The  words  of  Christ  to  his  Church  were  to 
be  spirit  and  life. 

There  never  has  been  any  corporate  attempt  in  the 
Methodist  Church  to  formulate  a  complete  system  oi 
doctrine.  The  few  doctrines  she  holds  have  had  a 
practical  value,  and  were  developed  by  the  experi- 
mental method,  and  so  built  into  her  theology.  Wes- 
ley was  unexcelled  as  a  clear  thinker.  He  applied  the 
scientific  method  to  religious  truth  and  experience. 
He  aimed  at  the  practical  use  of  the  experimental 
truth  of  Christianity.  In  a  pure,  terse,  and  logical 
manner  he  defined  and  expounded  the  doctrines  that 


THE   MISSION   OF   METHODISM.  55 

satisfied  the  most  pressing-  needs  of  his  hearers.  He 
cared  more  to  prove  Christian  truth  regarding  human 
duty  by  using  it,  tlian  he  (hd  to  give  it  dogmatic  form. 
In  the  writings  and  sermons  of  Wesley  there  is  a  clear 
exposition  of  all  the  essential  doctrines  of  God's  Word. 
"The  distinctive  doctrine,"  says  President  Bashford, 
in  speaking  of  Wesley's  teachings,  "may  be  summed 
up  in  four  phases,  which  sound  as  if  they  had  been 
adopted  upon  the  battlefield,  or  the  march  for  the 
evangelization  of  the  world:  i.  Salvation  for  all  per- 
sons; 2.  Salvation  from  all  sin;  3.  Each  person  may 
know  he  is  saved;  4.  Each  person  should  witness  to 
the  fact." 

Methodism  has  taught  these  fundamental  ideas  of 
Christianity  as  facts  rather  than  doctrines,  and  her 
triumphs  lie  enwrapped  in  their  belief  and  experience. 
The  teaching  of  repentance  and  faith  were  regarded 
of  more  importance  than  metaphysical  discussion  or 
the  upholding  of  a  theological  system.  A  message  of 
the  impartial  love  of  God,  and  the  element  of  power 
contained  in  the  gospel  for  sinful,  tempted,  and  dispir- 
ited men  declared  in  the  most  earnest  and  sympathetic 
manner,  would  naturally  commend  itself  to  the  spir- 
itual apprehensions  and  necessities  of  the  people.  It 
was  the  declaration  of  inspired  truth,  backed  by  the 
energies  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  spoke  of  sins  forgiven, 
banished  the  gloom  of  doubt,  and  restored  men  to  the 
family  and  favor  of  God,  which  made  Methodism  such 
a  great  power  in  the  world. 

I.  Wesley  was  content  to  teach  that  the  mission  of 
Methodism  was  to  preach  and  exemplify  holiness. 
"A  Alethodist,"  he  says,  "is  one  who  has  the  love  of 


56  OHIO  METHODISM. 

God  shed  abroad  in  his  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
given  unto  him;  one  who  loves  the  Lord  his  God  with 
all  his  heart,  and  soul,  and  mind,  and  strength.  He 
rejoices  evermore,  prays  without  ceasing,  and  in  every- 
thing gives  thanks.  His  heart  is  full  of  love  to  all  man- 
kind, and  is  purified  from  envy,  malice,  wrath,  and 
every  unkind  afifection.  His  own  desire,  and  the  one 
design  of  his  life,  is  not  to  do  his  own  will,  but  the  will 
of  Him  that  sent  him.  He  keeps  all  God's  command- 
ments, from  the  least  to  the  greatest.  He  follows  not 
the  customs  of  the  world ;  for  vice  does  not  lose  its  na- 
ture through  its  becoming  fashionable.  He  fares  not 
sumptuously  every  day.  He  can  not  lay  up  treasure 
upon  earth;  nor  can  he  adorn  himself  with  gold  or 
costly  apparel.  He  can  not  join  in  any  diversion  that 
has  the  least  tendency  to  vice.  He  can  not  speak  evil 
of  his  neighbor  any  more  than  he  can  tell  a  lie.  He 
can  not  utter  unkind  or  evil  words.  No  corrupt  com- 
munication ever  comes  out  of  his  mouth.  He  does 
good  unto  all  men;  unto  neighbors,  strangers,  friends, 
and  enemies.  These  are  the  principles  and  practices 
of  our  sect.  These  are  the  marks  of  a  true  Methodist. 
By  these  alone  do  Methodists  desire  to  be  distin- 
guished from  other  men." 

It  is  evident  that  Wesley  cared  more  for  spiritual 
life  than  for  orthodoxy.  He  never  gave  a  formal  creed 
to  his  societies  in  England,  and  his  liberality  and  cath- 
olicity is  shown  in  the  formula  of  faith  for  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  in  America.  He  made  it  so 
brief  and  simple  that  it  ofifers  no  serious  embarrass- 
ment to  the  opinions  of  those  who  have  "a  desire  to 
flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  to  be  saved  from 


THE  MISSION  OF  METHODISM. 


57 


sin."  These  articles  of  faith  were  an  abridgment  of 
the  Articles  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  were  super- 
added to  our  present  existing  and  established  stand- 
ards of  doctrine,  w^hen  the  Methodist  societies  were 
formed  into  a  distinct  and  independent  Churchhood. 


JOHN  WESLEY. 

It  is  a  most  noteworthy  fact  that  the  most  distinctive 
doctrines,  such  as  salvation  for  all  persons,  witness  of 
the  Spirit,  and  Christian  perfection,  find  no  expression 
in  the  articles,  although  Methodism  restored  these 
truths  to  a  place  of  power  in  the  Christian  life.  The 
articles  of  religion  are  distinctly  Arminian,  but  were 


58  OHIO  METHODISM. 

never  intended  to  serve  as  a  complete  system  of  doc- 
trine. "We  believe,"  wrote  Wesley,  ''the  written  Word 
of  God  to  be  the  only  and  sufficient  rule,  both  of  Chris- 
tian faith  and  practice.  .  .  .  We  believe  Christ  to  be 
the  Eternal  Supreme  God;  ,  .  .  but  as  to  all  opin- 
ions which  do  not  strike  at  the  root  of  Christianity,  we 
think  and  let  think."  Wesley's  liberality  of  spirit  was 
evinced  before  the  British  Conference,  when  he  said: 
''I  have  no  more  right  to  object  to  a  man  for  holding  a 
different  opinion  from  me,  than  I  have  to  differ  with 
a  man  because  he  wears  a  wig  and  I  wear  my  own 
hair;  but  if  he  takes  his  wig  off,  and  begins  to  shake 
the  powder  about  my  eyes,  I  shall  consider  it  my  duty 
to  get  quit  of  him  as  soon  as  possible." 

Again,  when  Wesley  was  preaching  at  Glasgow 
in  his  eighty-fifth  year,  he  said:  "There  is  no  other 
religious  society  under  heaven  which  requires  nothing 
of  men,  in  order  to  their  admission  into  it,  but  a  desire 
to  save  their  souls.  Look  all  around  you:  you  can 
not  be  admitted  into  the  Church  or  Society  of  the 
Presbyterians,  Anabaptists,  Quakers,  or  any  others, 
unless  you  hold  the  same  opinions  with  them,  and  ad- 
here to  the  same  mode  of  worship.  The  Methodists 
alone  do  not  insist  on  your  holding  this  or  that  opin- 
ion. .  .  .  Here  is  our  glorying,  and  a  glorying 
peculiar  to  us.     What  Society  shares  it  with  us?" 

Although  the  Methodist  Church  in  the  beginning 
had  no  confession'  or  systematic  creed,  it,  however,  has 
a  common  basis  of  belief,  and  ^'a  general  backbone  of 
theology  upon  which  its  sermons,  treatises,  commen- 
taries, catechisms,  hymns,  exhortations,  and  ritual 
rest."    The  recognized  standards  of  faith  are  found  in 


THE   MISSION   OF  METHOD IS^^.  59 

the  writing's  of  Wesley,  Fletcher,  and  Watson.  These 
men  are  the  chief  doctrinal  exponents  of  the  Church. 
The  well-understood  articles  of  belief  are  the  bonds 
of  denominational  union,  and  constitute  the  chief 
security  for  correct  and  sound  doctrines  in  the  pulpit. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  through  all  the  theo- 
logical controversies  for  more  than  a  century  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  has  made  no  changes  in 
doctrine,  or  suffered  from  any  serious  outbreak  of 
heresy.  Speaking  of  her  doctrinal  harmony,  Watson 
truly  says:  "Ecclesiastical  history  does  not,  perhaps, 
present  an  instance  of  an  ecjual  number  of  ministers 
brought  into  contact  so  close,  and  called  so  frecjuently 
together  for  the  discussion  of  various  subjects,  among 
whom  so  much  general  unanimity  as  to  doctrines 
.  .  .  has  prevailed,  joined  with  so  much  real  good- 
will and  friendship  toward  each  other,  for  so  great  a 
number  of  years." 

Methodism  formed  the  basis  of  man's  responsi- 
bility in  his  self-centered  power  of  will.  Her  preachers 
were  not  burdened  with  any  objectionable  crded. 
They  brought  the  elementary  facts  of  the  Christian 
religion  vividly  home  to  the  consciousness  af  every 
individual.  They  were  free  to  push  their  conquests, 
and  bring  every  individual  soul  in  contact  with  the 
Divine  truth  and  spirit.  They  portrayed  in  vivid  lan- 
guage the  infinite  and  impartial  love  of  God  for  all 
men,  and  man's  privilege  and  duty  to  come  to  God 
for  pardon,  for  peace,  and  for  ])o\ver  over  sin.  They 
not  only  awakened  desires  in  the  heart  for  salvation, 
but  impressed  the  duty  to  accept  it.  The  message  they 
delivered  was  not  only  a  proclamation  of  good  news, 


6o  OHIO  METHODISM. 

but  a  revelation  of  spiritual  power  and  privilege. 
Methodism  was  free-born.  The  gospel,  made  effective 
by  Divine  energy,  and  which  set  the  individual  soul 
aglow  with  new  life,  was  a  fresh  power  in  the  world. 
Such  a  message  touched  the  multitude.  While  other 
Churches  were  struggling  to  maintain  doctrines,  and 
defend  themselves,  Methodism  emphasized  the  new  life 
in  Christ.  Her  system  of  good  deeds  and  sincere  de- 
votions introduced  a  new  spiritual  life  into  all  the 
Churches,  and  made  her  a  great  moral  power  in  the 
world. 

While  Methodism  has  been  earnest  in  laboring 
for  the  extension  of  God's  spiritual  kingdom,  other 
Churches  liave  felt  the  power  of  her  example  in  spirit- 
ual fervor,  and  caught  her  zeal  in  saving  men,  and 
been  stimulated  to  more  earnest  effort  and  religious 
life.  Methodism  has  likewise  exerted  a  remarkable 
modifying  influence  on  the  doctrinal  system  of  Calvin- 
ism, which  has  undergone  important  changes  during 
the  past  century.  The  ablest  theologians  in  Calvinistic 
Churches  bear  testimony  to  the  helpful  influences  of 
Methodism. 

Professor  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  of  the  Union  Theo- 
logical School,  of  New  York,  speaks  of  Methodism 
in  t'hese  words:  ''Arminian  theology  has  contributed 
to  bring  the  minds  of  Presbyterians  up  to  that  tre- 
mendous prote'st  which  is  fast  driving  the  screws 
into  the  cof^n-lid  of  that  hideous  and  unscriptural 
Calvinist  doctrine  of  arbitrary  Divine  predestination 
to  eternal  wrath. 

"Methodist  fervor  has  sent  its  glow  into  the  Cal- 
vinistic sermon,  kindling  its  severer  logical  lines,  and 


THE  MISSION  OF  METHODISM.  6 1 

transforming  the  doctrinal  treatise  into  an  evangel. 
It  has  wrought  to  promote  greater  simplicity  and  fa- 
miliarity of  address,  and  to  mitigate  the  repellent 
stateliness  of  the  pulpit.  Its  missionary  zeal  has  been 
contagious.  Its  lay-agencies  in  its  evangelistic  work 
have  created  a  sentiment  in  favor  of  similar  agencies 
in  the  Calvinistic  bodies.  Its  insistence  upon  the  high 
privileges  of  the  children  of  God  and  upon  the  rich 
[)Ossibilities  of  personal  Christian  experience  has 
borne  goodly  fruit  in  many  a  life  trained  under  sterner 
educational  influences." 

"Wesleyanism  has  stood  from  the  beginning,"  says 
Professor  Stearns,  "for  the  immediate  and  constant 
presence  o-f  Christ  through  the  Spirit.  ...  It  has, 
indeed,  often  given  too  large  a  place  to  the  emotional 
element  in  Christianity,  But  it  has  done  so,  not  so 
much  for  the  sake  of  the  feelings  themselves,  as  that  it 
might  realize  the  presence  of  Christ's  Spirit,  to  whom 
the  feelings  are  due.  To  it  belongs  the  credit  of  hav- 
ing kept  alive  in  a  sense-bound  age,  as  perhaps  no 
other  religious  system  has  done,  the  consciousness  of 
the  reality  of  the  things  unseen  and  eternal — the  Fa- 
ther, the  Christ,  the  Spirit,  the  Kingdom  of  God,  the 
forgiveness  of  sins,  the  present  Divine  grace.  Here 
has  lain  largely  the  secret  of  its  power.  .  .  .  That 
modern  Calvinism  has  succeeded  to  so  great  an  extent 
in  maintaining  and  increasing  its  spirituality,  is  due  in 
no  inconsiderable  degree  to  the  power  of  Wesley- 
anism." 

Prof.  Austin  Phelps,  speaking  of  the  debt  of  relig- 
ion and  theology  to  ]\Iethodism^  says:  "It  has  been  a 
stout  ally  of  those  who  have  labored  to  eliminate  from 


62  OHIO   METHODISM. 

the   popular  notion   of   Christianity   the  fictions   of   a 
Hniited  atonement  and  the  servitude  of  the  human  will. 

"Before  the  advent  of  Methodism,  these  dogmas, 
to  the  majoritv  of  minds  which  came  under  their 
in.fluence,  had  made  salvation  an  impracticable  busi- 
ness. Theoretically,  the  popular  mind  could  make 
nothing  else  of  it.  The  speculations  in  which  adroit 
minds  essayed  to-  untie  the  knot  in  which  these  dog- 
mas had  bound  popular  inquiry  had  little  weight  in 
the  pulpit.  They  were  not  useful  there,  because  they 
could  not  be  used.  In  many  pulpits  the  preaching 
of  repentance  to  vmregenerate  men  had  absolutely 
ceased.  Logical  minds,  holding  these  dogmas,  could 
not  preach  it.  In  private  they  said  so,  and  in  the  pulpit 
they  were  dumb.  To  preach  repentance  as  a  duty  to 
men  who  could  not  repent,  and  who,  until  they  did, 
could  have  no  assurance  that  the  sacrifice  of  Christ 
had  any  concern  with  them,  was  an  insult  to  the 
hearer  and  stultification  to  the  preacher.  Sensible  men 
felt  this,  and  revolted.  They  would  not  sow  seed  on 
a  marble  quarry  where  nothing  could  grow.  Rowland 
Hill  once,  on  entering  a  certain  church,  was  admon- 
ished, *We  preach  only  to  the  elect  here.'  'So  will  1/ 
he  replied,  'if  you  will  put  a  label  on  them.' 

"Methodism  cut  the"  knot.  \\'esley  and  his  asso- 
ciates denied  the  limitation  of  the  atoning  sacrifice  by 
Divine  decree.  They  did  it  in  no  obscure  or  silken 
speech.  They  denounced  the  dogma  with  vehemence 
and  scorn.  They  defied  it  as  an  invention  of  the  devil. 
Indeed,  throughout  the  controversy  with  Calvinism, 
Wesley  was  a  savage.  He  spared  neither  foe  nor 
friend,  not  even  Whitefield.    He  gave  us  the  iron  hand 


THE  MISSION  OF  METHODISM.  63 

bare  of  the  velvet  glove.  But  his  unkempt  ferocity 
of  method  achieved  its  object.  It  said  what  he  meant, 
and  hewed  the  way  clean  to  the  lil^erty  of  proclaiming 
a  free  salvation.  That,  he  and  his  successors  flung 
broadcast.  They  preached  it  exultingly.  They 
preached  it  like  men  free-born.  It  gave  a  ring  of  glad- 
ness to  their  ministrations.  The  mountains  skipped 
like  rams,  and  the  little  hills  like  lambs,  at  the  sound 
of  their  voices." 

II.  The  mission  of  Methodism  was  to  revive  Scrip- 
tural and  primitive  methods  in  spreading  gospel  truth. 
The  polity  of  ^Methodism  was  both  timely  and  provi- 
dential. It  contained  the  most  vital  principles  of 
God's  Spiritual  Kingdom,  and  aimed  to  give  the  Di- 
vine Spirit  free  course.  From  the  beginning  it  has 
been  a  grand  missionary  and  evangelistic  system.  The 
central  idea  has  been  to  reach  the  lowly,  the  ignorant, 
and  the  poor,  as  well  as  the  intelligent  and  rich.  Her 
preachers  have  always  felt  it  a  privilege  to  visit  the 
hovels,  garrets,  and  slums,  in  order  to  minister  to  the 
temporal  and  spiritual  needs  of  the  poor  and  unfor- 
tunate. The  system  of  Church  government  was  not 
a  sudden  creation,  but  came  into  existence  gradually, 
as  the  needs  and  changing  conditions  demanded. 

Wesley  w^as  a  regularly  ordained  member  of  the 
Church  of  England.  He  did  not  desire  to  found  a 
new  Church,  but  to  revive  primitive  Christianity  w^ithin 
the  limits  of  the  Established  Church;  but  when  this 
Church  was  closed  against  him,  he  made  the  world 
his  parish.  Without  w^aiting  for  wealth  or  social  power 
to  make  an  easy  path  for  his  glorious  message,  he  and 
his  co-laborers  gathered  a  multitude  in  the  fields  and 


64  OHIO   METHODISM. 

market-places,  and  preached  the  gospel.  The  poor, 
and  the  ignorant,  and  the  lowest  of  society  were  deeply 
moved  by  these  open-air  discourses;  and  many  re- 
sponded to  the  earnest  and  tender  appeals  of  these 
faithful  evangelists.  The  revival  of  spiritual  Chris- 
tianity gradually  deepened  and  widened  until  thou- 
sands were  brought  under  its  influence.  Wesley  now 
had  the  opportunity  to  display  his  peculiar  genius  of 
organization.  At  first  there  was  no  coherence  or  uni- 
formity in  the  way  he  set  about  his  task.  There  was 
an  ease  and  naturalness  in  his  manner  of  starting  the 
class-meetings.  He  said  to  a  few  people  in  London, 
in  1739:  "If  you  will  meet  every  Thursday  evening, 
I  wall  join  with  you  in  prayer,  and  give  you  the  best 
advice  I  can."  He  aimed  to  press  upon  them  the 
highest  possibilities  of  religious  experience  and  con- 
secration. These  societies  began  in  the  bosom  of  the 
established  Church.  He  had  no  thought  of  deviating 
from  her  order  of  service.  It  would  have  startled  him 
to  have  had  a  vision  of  the  magnitude  of  the  work  he 
was  inaugurating.  He  w^as  certainly  doing  an  apos- 
tolic work,  and  his  noble  purposes  and  catholicity  of 
spirit  were  expressed  in  these  words :  'T  desire  to  form 
a  league,  offensive  and  defensive,  with  every  soldier 
of  Jesus  Christ."  He  was  so  loyal  to  his  Church  that 
he  required  the  meetings  of  the  societies  to  be  held 
at  such  times  as  would  not  interfere  with  those  of  the 
Established  Church. 

In  a  similar  manner  lay-preaching  sprang  into 
existence.  It  was  an  essential  factor  in  the  ]\Ieth- 
odist  system,  and  Air.  Wesley  followed  the  prov- 
idential   leadings.      While    away    from    London,    he 


THE  MISSION  OF  METHODISM.  65 

heard  that  Thomas  Maxfield,  an  unordained  man 
of  Utile  i)romise,  was  preaching.  He  hastened 
back  to  put  a  stop  to  the  irregularity.  He  said 
to  his  mother,  ''Thomas  Maxfield  has  turned  preacher, 
I  find."  The  mouther  was  equal  to  the  occasion, 
and  wisely  counseled  him  thus:  "John,  take  care 
what  you  do  with  respe'ct  to  that  young  man; 
for  he  is  as  surely  called  of  God  to  preach  as  you  are. 
Examine  what  have  been  the  proofs  of  his  preach- 
ing, and  hear  him  yourself."  After  Wesley  heard  him, 
he  said:  'Tt  is  the  Lord!  Let  him  do  what  seemeth 
him  good."  ]\lany  of  the  laymen  whom  Mr.  Wesley 
called  to  his  help,  had  rare  natural  talent,  and  gave 
proof  of  their  Divine  call  to  preach.  The  majority 
had  no  scholastic  training,  but  they  were  powerfully 
wrought  upon  by  the  Spirit,  and  could  speak  from 
a  heart  full  of  love  to  God  and  man.  Their  familiarity 
with  Scripture,  combined  with  a  rich  personal  ex- 
perience and  earnestness  of  conviction,  enabled  them 
to  preach  with  vigor  and  power. 

The  effect  oi  the  religious  revival  in  the  established 
Church  was  remarkable.  Many  of  the  ministry  and 
laity  antagonized  the  reformation;  but  the  Church 
gradually  caught  the  spirit  of  the  noible  men  who  were 
leading  the  movement.  At  first  Wesley  thought  it 
would  be  a  sin  to  save  a  soul  outside  of  the  Established 
Church,  and  it  was  not  until  1786  that  he  permitted 
the  holding  of  "service  in  Methodist  chapels  during 
Churcli  hours  in  places  where  the  clergy  were  no- 
toriously wicked  or  dangerously  heretical;  as  also 
where  there  were  not  churches  enough  in  the  town 
to  accommodate  half  the  people;  and  lastly,  where 
5 


66  OHIO    METHODISM. 

there  was  not  a  church  within  two  or  three  miles." 
The  young  Church  grew  as  they  went  on  preaching 
the  great  doctrine  of  free  grace,  conversion,  sanctifi- 
cation,  and  witness  of  the  Spirit.  The  new  love,  kindled 
in  the  hearts  of  his  followers,  spread  into  other  coun- 
tries. When  some  of  these  converts  found  their  way 
to  America,  they  formed  societies  similar  to  those  of 
England.  These  societies  multiplied,  and  their  spir- 
itual influence  was  felt  among  the  early  Colonies. 
When  the  time  arrived,  the  Methodist  people  in  Amer- 
ica wanted  an  independent  Church.  IMethodism,  that 
always  adapts  means  to  an  end,  sought  to  plant  a 
Church  upon  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  New 
Testament,  and  in  harmony  with  the  structure  of 
society  and  the  national  spirit.  Mr.  Wesley  believed 
that  Methodism  in  America  should  have  an  independ- 
ent organization.  He  felt  no  scruples  on  the 
grounds  of  loyalty  to  England  to  take  the  step.  The 
Church  was  organized  in  1784,  at  the  birth-time  of 
the  Nation.  Previous  to  this,  Methodists  were  so- 
cieties in  a  Church,  and  the  members  were  dependent 
on  the  Church  of  England  for  the  Christian  or- 
dinances. The  independence  of  the  American  Colonies 
was  acknowledged  in  1783,  and  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, as  such,  ceased  to  exist  in  this  country.  Most 
of  the  clergy  likewise  withdrew.  The  Methodist  so- 
cieties were  left  without  civil  or  ecclesiastical  authority 
over  them.  The  members  of  the  Methodist  societies 
appealed  to  Wesley  to  organize  a  Church  in  the 
United  States.  Since  he  was  now  at  liberty  to  take 
tliis  step,  he  consecrated  and  commissioned  Thomas 
Coke  to  found  the  Church.    Accordingly  the  majority 


THE  MISSION   OF  JMETHOUISM. 


67 


of  the  Methodist  preachers,  who  had  been  members  of 
the  Church  of  England,  assembled  in  Baltimore,  in 
December,  1784,  and  organized  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  with  all  needed  ecclesiastical  privileges, 
and  independent  of  the  Civil  Government.  This  was 
the  first  national   ecclesiastical   organization  on  this 


CHURCH  WHERE  THE  GL.NLRAL  CONFERENCE  WAS  HELD,  1784. 

continent.  The  Nation  and  the  Church,  though  wholly 
separate,  were  free  and  independent,  and  grew  up  to 
greatness  together.  Methodism  was  called  into  be- 
ing with  a  distinctive  work  growing  out  of  the  local 
and  temporal  conditions.  Her  special  mission  was  to 
express  and  develop  the  religious  life  of  a  young  and 
growing  Nation.     The  broad  and   fundamental  idea 


68  OHIO   METHODISM. 

of  the  Church  as  well  as  the  State  was  a  ^^overnment 
''of  the  people,  for  the  people,  and  by  representation 
of  the  people."  Each  local  society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  is  so  linked  together  that  it  takes 
all  of  them  to  form  one  Church,  thus  making  a  de- 
nominational unit.  The  societies,  or  Churches,  are 
united  into  districts,  districts  into  Annual  Conferences, 
and  Annual  Conferences  into  a  General  Conference. 
Each  society  is  a  component  part,  and  all  members 
one  of  another.  In  all  these  the  laity  are  consulted. 
The  bishops  are  general  superintendents,  and  belong 
to  the  whole  Church.  They  are  amenable  to  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  where  every  minister  and  lay  member 
is  represented.  The  strength  and  efificiency  of  the 
Church  is  largely  due  to  supplementing  the  democratic 
principle  by  the  representative  and  federal  principle. 
The  federal  bond  imparts  an  element  of  power  in  any 
organization  by  concentrating  the  power  in  a  respon- 
sible center.  The  power  originates  with  the  people, 
and  rises  through  successive  gradations  to  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  from  which  it  returns  back  to  the 
people. 

The  connectional  bond  is  the  most  vital  principle 
of  God's  spiritual  kingdom.  It  gives  solidarity  to  the 
Church,  and  makes  possible  the  sublime  unity  of 
purpose  and  action  of  its  members. 

While  there  has  been  no  serious  deflection  of 
doctrine  since  the  founding  of  the  Church,  yet 
the  method  of  Church  government  has  been  sub- 
ject to  change  according  to  times  and  circum- 
stances. This  readiness  to  adapt  itself  to  con- 
ditions   has    been    one    of    the    great    elements    of 


THE   MISSION   OF  METHODISM.  69 

success  in  the  .c^rowth  of  the  Chiircli.  The  historv 
of  the  Church  shows  that  the  unity  and  efficiency  of 
Methodist  organization  is  well  adapted  to  further 
Christianity.  The  machinery  of  Methodism  is  plastic, 
flexible,  energetic,  and  adapted  to  the  spirit  of  prog- 
ress. Every  Methodist  should  rejoice  to  perpetuate 
the  principles  of  Church  Government  by  upholding 
and  obeying  them. 

III.  The  mission  of  Methodism  is  destined  to  be- 
come a  powerful  social  force.  In  the  best  sense  it  rep- 
resents the  Church  of  humanity,  because  it  embodies 
the  spirit  of  primitive  Christianity.  The  inherent  na- 
ture of  the  gospel  leads  naturally  to  the  highest  social 
order.  Christianity  does  for  society  what  it  does  for 
the  individual,  and  more.  It  generates  the  spirit  of 
self-renouncing  love  in  the  individual,  wdiich  naturally 
finds  expression  in  society.  The  true  bond  that  unites 
men  is  neither  force  nor  sesthetical  sentiment,  nor 
''enlightened  self-interest,"  but  the  spirit  of  love.  This 
spirit  will  transfigure  society  into  a  truly  organized 
brotherhood.  The  spirit  of  Christ  is  the  spirit  of 
humanity.  The  tendency  of  all  social  organizations, 
based  on  natural  and  socialistic  principles,  is  to  be- 
come cold  and  mechanical.  Even  the  aggregating  and 
organizing  powder  of  the  Church  may  sometimes  re- 
duce the  social  unity  to  a  mere  form.  As  soon  as 
individuality  is  strongly  asserted,  it  becomes  a  dis- 
integrating power  in  society.  Nothing  will  check  this 
selfish  spirit  but  the  spirit  of  self-renouncing  love,  as 
taught  and  illustrated  by  Christ.  All  forms  of  social 
unity,  apart  from  Christianity,  have  proved  a  failure. 
Christian  love  is  the  divine  basis  of  societv,  and  be- 


70  OHIO  METHODISM. 

longs  to  every  sphere  of  social  union.  It  is  the  only 
permanent  power  in  society.  Society  must  be  a  vital, 
living-  organism,  bound  together  by  a  common  living 
faith,  hope,  and  love.  Social  energies  and  impulses, 
to  become  permanent,  must  be  imparted  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  the  Christian  heart;  and  then  it  becomes  an 
inner  spiritual  bond  of  union  among  men  as  well 
as  a  power  for  good  among  all  classes.  Christ 
made  the  love  of  man  for  man  the  measure  of  love  to 
him,  so  that  the  efforts  of  the  Christian  for  the  good 
of  his  fellow  become  a  form  of  divine  service. 
Christian  love  inspires  the  best  motives  and  the  highest 
ideals  for  the  race.  It  finds  expression  in  all  social 
relations,  breaks  down  all  deep-seated  prejudices, 
carries  men  over  all  social  barriers,  and  makes  a  com- 
mon brotherhood,  which  is  the  only  worthy  and  abid- 
ing basis  of  society.  Professor  Mathews,  in  speaking 
of  the  forces  of  human  progress,  says:  "Every  man 
who  comes  into  a  conscious  reinstatement  in  the  love 
of  God,  becomes  also  a  brother  of  all  other  men  in  the 
same  relation.  And  so  is  set  in  motion  a  multitude 
of  fraternal  loves  which,  disregarding  place  and  time 
and  birth  and  social  station,  will  forever  remain  un- 
satisfied until  they  express  themselves  in  reciprocal 
deeds  of  kindness,  and  bring  in  a  new  social  order. 
Each  man  will  seek  to  minister,  not  to  be  ministered 
unto;  to  become  a  servant  of  all." 

The  Christian  religion  began  with  the  individual 
and  family  as  a  social  unit,  and  widens  out  its  power 
until  it  has  touched  first  society,  then  the  State,  then 
the  Xation,  and  finally  embraces  the  wide  world. 

The  close  student  of  historv  mav  trace  the  mar- 


nil':  MISSION  OF  Methodism.  71 

vclous  influence  of  Methodism  in  all  social  procuress. 
The  introduction  of  a  new  and  victorious  life  through 
the  power  of  the  gospel  was  the  great  factor  in  lifting 
the  English  people  to  a  higher  plane  of  life.  The 
reformation  under  Wesley  formed  a  new  epoch  in 
English  history,  ^klethodism  communicated  to  society 
a  distinct  element  of  power,  which  operated  favor- 
ably on  the  intellectual,  social,  and  moral  life  of  the 
English  race.  She  began  with  the  lower  and  middle 
classes,  and  has  continued  to  our  day  a  potent  element 
for  good  among  all  classes,  and  in  all  social  and  eco- 
nomic reforms.  The  Christian  truths,  as  taught  by 
the  ^Methodist,  prompted  thousands  who  were  lead- 
ing a  worldly,  sensual,  and  selfish  life,  to  seek  and  find 
salvation  from  sin,  and  lead  new  lives.  Facts  con- 
nected with  the  religious  revival  of  this  day,  prove 
that  natural  forces  at  work  in  society  are  not  enough 
to  lift  up  a  sinful  nation.  The  spiritual  element  in  man 
needs  to  be  quickened  and  energized  by  the  Divine 
Spirit  to  produce  the  best  and  most  lasting  effect  on 
society.  Lecky  and  other  historians  unite  in  ac- 
knowledging the  leavening  power  of  the  gospel  in 
society:  ''England  escaped  the  contagion  of  the  rev- 
olutionary spirit  that  worked  such  horrors  in  France 
largely  through  the  vehement  religious  enthusiasm 
which  was  at  that  very  time  passing  through  the  mid- 
dle and  lower  classes  of  the  people."  Mr.  J.  R.  Green 
also,  in  his  History  of  England,  says:  ''The  noblest 
result  of  the  religious  revival  was  the  steady  attempt, 
which  has  never  ceased  from  that  day  to  this,  to  rem- 
edy the  guilt,  the  ignorance,  the  physical  suffering, 
the  social  degradation  of  the  profligate  and  the  poor." 


72  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Professor  Hnxley  admits  that  England  is  indebted 
most  for  the  ^xQi?X  revolution  to  John  Wesley,  while 
Mr.  Knight,  in  his  History  of  England,  asserts  that 
^lethodism  produced  "a  moral  revolution  which  prob- 
ably saved  England  from  the  fate  of  nations  wholly 
abandoned  to  their  own  devices." 

Wesley  and  his  associates  gained  their  power  over 
the  intelligent  as  well  as  the  uncultivated  masses  by 
declaring  that  the  supernatural  renewal  of  the  heart 
and  the  divinely-attested  recovery  of  the  soul  in  the 
image  of  God  was  the  direct  and  promised  work  of  the 
gospel.  It  is  said  that  the  colliers  of  Kingswood 
stood,  with  tears  washing  white  channels  down  their 
cheeks,  under  the  sermons  of  these  evangelists;  and 
an  astonishing  spiritual  reformation  occurred  even 
among  the  brutal  criminals  of  the  Newgate  prison. 

"The  spread  of  ]\Iethodism,"  says  Mr.  Leslie 
Stephen,  "can  only  be  explained  by  the  social  develop- 
ment of  the  time,  and  the  growth  of  a  great  population 
outside  the  rusty  ecclesiastical  machinery.  The  refuse 
thus  cast  aside  took  fire  by  spontaneous  combustion." 

The  Christian  Churches  recognize  that  the  Nation 
has  a  religious  character  and  function.  The  sense  of 
independence  and  responsi1)ility,  the  cardinal  factors 
of  all  true  national  life,  are  best  united  and  sustained 
by  the  spirit  of  Christian  brotherhood.  The  Churches 
seek  to  hold  up  justice  and  love,  and  so  impress  the 
spirit  of  Christ  upon  the  people  that  it  will  be  easy 
for  the  State  to  maintain  just  relations  between  the 
conflicting  elements  of  society.  The  able  historian 
Lecky  has  truly  said  that  the  "true  greatness  and  wel- 
fare of  nations  depend   mainly  upon   the  amount   of 


THE   MISSION   OF  METHODISM.  73 

moral  force  that  is  generated  within  them."  The 
Christian  Churches  have  been  the  chief  agencies  in 
generating  this  moral  force. 

Our  republican  form  of  government  is  the  product 
of  the  sense  of  Christian  brotherhood.  We  may  trace 
throughout  our  national  history  the  moral  and  spir- 
itual principles  and  feelings  which  have  been  applied 
and  woven  into  our  political  system.  The  supremacy 
of  the  moral  sentiments  is  acknowledged  in  the  Fed- 
eral and  State  Constitutions.  ]\Ien  do  not  base  their 
consent  to  be  governed  by  democratic  principles  on 
physical  and  mechanical  forces,  but  on  moral  causes 
and  on  the  feelings  of  mutual  love  and  brotherhood. 
Methodism  maintains  these  Christian  principles  and 
religious  feelings  in  common  with  all  the  Christian 
Churches;  but  one  of  her  chief  missions  is  to  awaken 
and  apply  these  Christian  forces  with  renewed  fervency 
to  the  individual  and  to  society. 

The  Methodist  Church,  with  patriotic  zeal,  has 
been  alert  in  so  extending  the  religious  life  and  fos- 
tering moral  tendencies  to  the  promotion  of  the  gen- 
eral welfare,  that  the  fullest  expression  could  be  given 
to  the  national  life.  Her  remarkable  influence  in  the 
political  life  of  the  Nation  is  beyond  question.  Her 
pulpits,  press,  and  educational  institutions  have  been 
earnest  and  faithful  in  upholding  intelligent  patriotism. 
All  great  moral  questions,  which  are  the  glory  of  all 
true  civilization,  have  found  some  of  their  ablest  sup- 
porters in  the  Methodist  Church.  She  has  alv/ays  been 
years  in  advance  of  public  sentiment  regarding 
slavery  and  temperance  and  other  moral  issues.  She 
has  sought  to  bring  the  people's  convictions  to  the 


74  OHIO  METHODISM. 

point  where  they  could  form  an  effective  protest 
against  these  wrongs,  and  become  crystalhzed  in  laws 
for  their  suppression. 

The  emancipation  of  the  Negro  is  the  greatest 
achievement  of  the  century.  Methodism  made  an  ag- 
gressive w^arfare  on  this  evil.  Wesley  denounced 
slavery  as  the  sum  of  all  villainies.  As  early  as  1774 
he  wrote  an  important  tract  condemning  in  the  strong- 
est terms  the  trafific  in  slaves.  Bishop  Holsey  says 
that  "the  abolition  of  the  African  slave-trade  was  due 
more  to  England's  great  reformer  than  to  England's 
great  philanthropist."  During  the  Civil  War,  when 
the  question  of  slavery  was  to  be  settled,  the  Meth- 
odist Church  was  intensely  true  and  loyal  to  the  Na- 
tion, and  led  Lincoln  to  say:  ''Nobly  sustained  as  the 
Government  has  been  by  all  the  Churches,  I  would 
utter  nothing  which  might  in  the  least  appear  invidious 
in  any  way;  yet  w^ithout  this  it  may  be  fairly  said  that 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  not  less  devoted  than 
the  best,  is,  by  its  great  numbers,  the  most  important 
of  all.  It  is  no  fault  in  others  that  the  Methodist 
Church  sends  more  soldiers  to  the  field,  more  nurses 
to  the  hospital,  more  prayers  to  heaven,  than  any 
other.  God  bless  the  Methodist  Church!  Bless  all 
the  Churches!  And  btessed  be  God,  who,  in  this  our 
great  trial,  giveth  us  the  Churches!"  The  enthusiasm 
of  the  Methodist  preachers  reached  white  heat  during 
the  Rebellion.  This  was  especially  manifest  in  1864, 
when  the  Ohio  Conference  convened  at  Chillicothe. 
The  ladies  of  that  city  brought  the  flag  of  the  gallant 
73d  Ohio,  and  requested  Chaplain  McCabe  to  present 
it  to  the  Conference.     *T  took  the  banner,"  says  Mc- 


THE   MISSION   OF  METHODISM.  75 

Cabe,  "carried  it  to  the  front,  and  unfurled  it.  It 
was  riddled  with  shot  and  shell.  It  was  stained  with 
precious  blood.  The  very  sight  of  it  thrilled  the  Con- 
ference. I  simply  gave  a  list  of  the  battles  through 
which  it  had  been  carried.  That  was  enough  to  create 
a  tempest  of  excitement.  The  audience  shouted  and 
cheered  and  cried — some  for  sorrow,  some  for  joy." 

In  the  afternoon  the  Cincinnati  Conference  came 
from  Greenfield,  twenty  miles  distant,  to  visit  the  Ohio 
Conference  and  hear  the  eloquent  Simpson  deliver  his 
masterly  lecture  on  "Our  Country."  The  excitement, 
under  the  power  of  the  bishop's  eloquence,  was  in- 
tense. In  his  peroration  he  suddenly  turned  and  seized 
the  flag.  He  spoke  to  it.  He  told  how  he  loved  it, 
and  why.  The  scene  that  followed  was  thrilling  and 
patriotic.  "The  audience  sprang  to  their  feet  en  masse. 
Hats,  handkerchiefs,  um1)rellas,  parasols,  were  wav- 
ing everywhere.  The  bishop  sat  down,  and  for  fully 
ten  minutes  the  shouting  went  on."  This  picture  only 
indicates  the  patriotic  zeal  and  intense  love  of  ]\Ieth- 
odists  for  their  country  and  for  the  moral  issue  in  the 
struggle. 

^Methodism  has  likewise  been  aggressive  in  temper- 
ance reform.  \\'esley  was  the  pioneer  in  this  work. 
Although  drunkenness  was  common  inside  the 
Church,  yet,  says  Bishop  \\^arren,  "In  1743  he  pre- 
pared the  General  Rules  for  the  guidance  of  his  people, 
warning  them  against  drunkenness,  buying  or  selling 
spirituous  liquors,  or  drinking  them  except  in  cases  of 
extreme  necessity.  This  rule,  he  says,  we  are  taught 
by  God  to  observe  in  his  written  Word.  And  this  rule 
in  his  precise  words  stands  to-day  in  the  Discipline 


76  OHIO   METHODISM. 

of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  preached 
against  the  damning  sin  of  selHng  the  Hquid  fire  in 
words  that  have  not  been  surpassed  for  fierce  denun- 
ciation to  this  day.  He  leaped  at  once  to  a  position 
other  men  have  not  surpassed  in  a  hundred  years." 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  has  been  espe- 
cially active  in  organizing  temperance  societies,  and 
inaugurating  and  encouraging  movements  looking  to 
the  restriction  and  prohibition  of  the  traffic  in  intoxi- 
cating liquors.  As  intelligence  increases,  the  enthu- 
siasm for  prohibition  of  the  traffic  is  intensified. 

While  Alethodism  has  been  earnestly  at  work  iii 
the  home  field,  she  has  in  nowise  limited  her  efforts 
in  extending  the  kingdom  of  Christ  to  foreign  lands. 
John  Wesley  declared,  'The  world  is  my  parish;"  and 
since  his  day  the  Church  has  felt  that  her  mission  to 
the  heathen  world  was  one  of  the  most  stupendous. 
She  shares  this  responsibility  with  other  Churches, 
but  Methodist  teaching  and  polity  are  peculiarly 
adapted  to  be  of  great  missionary  service.  Methodist 
fervency  has  given  efficient  inspiration  to  this  great 
and  primary  work  of  the  gospel. 

In  summing  up,  we  might  say,  the  mission  of 
Methodism  is  as  broad  as  the  gospel  itself.  And 
her  remarkable  history  and  evangelical  spirit  clearly 
demonstrate  her  ability  to  fulfill  her  divine  mission. 
She  has  had  a  worthy  origin  and  accomplished  a 
great  work  as  a  "leader  in  evangelization,  a  pioneer 
in  all  true  reforms,  a  pattern  in  all  charities,  and  a 
power  for  the  promotion  of  fraternal  relations  among 
all  branches  of  the  one  true  Church  of  Jesus  Christ." 
She   aims   to   gather   in   the   rich   and   the   poor,   the 


THE   MTSSICN  OF  METHODISM.  77 

learned  and  the  unlearned  of  every  land.  She  has 
the  appliances  and  means  for  the  largest  possibilities 
in  the  broad  field  of  Christian  service.  Her  divine 
mission  and  providential  organization  have  been  vin- 
dicated and  blessed.  The  chief  need  of  the  Church 
to-day  is  a  more  powerful  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
to  reap  an  abundant  harvest  of  souls,  whose  exultant 
voices  shall  sing  praises  to  the  Redeemer  of  men. 


Chapter  IIL 


79 


'HE  Methodists  were  the  pioneers  of  religion.  The  breath  of 
liberty  has  wafted  their  message  to  the  masses  of  the  people; 
encouraged  them  to  collect  white  and  black,  in  church  or  green- 
wood, for  council  in  Divine  love  and  the  full  assurance  of  faith, 
and  carried  their  consolations  and  songs  and  prayers  to  the  farthest 
cabins  of  the  wilderness." — George  Bancroft. 


**^S  I  understand  it,  Christianity  is  above  all  religions;  and  re- 
'^  ligion  is  not  a  method  :  it  is  a  life  ;  a  higher  and  supernatural 
life,  mystical  in  its  root  and  practical  in  its  fruits;  a  communion 
with  God;  a  calm  and  deep  enthusiasm ;  a  love  which  radiates;  a 
force  which  acts  ;  a  happiness  which  overflows." — A??uel. 

80 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  records  of  the  introduction  of  Methodism  into 
Ohio  and  the  great  Northwestern  Territory  are  not 
without  stories  of  thrilhng  interest. 

Shortly  after  the  Revolutionary  War,  bands  of 
adventurers  and  settlers  began  to  push  into  the  fron- 
tiers of  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  and  Kentucky.  The 
tide  of  emigration  westward  followed  the  old  military 
road  or  the  natural  water-courses.  The  Ohio  River, 
with  its  tributaries,  was  chosen  as  one  of  the  desirable 
ways  of  reaching  the  future  homes  of  these  hardy 
pioneers.  As  early  as  1781  scattered  settlements  wxre 
to  be  found  between  Pittsburg  and   Covington. 

The  early  settlers  were  singularly  situated.  The 
country  was  rough  and  mountairious  and  covered  by 
a  vast  wilderness,  and  without  inhabitants  as  far  north 
as  the  lakes,  except  hostile  Indians.  This  steady  ad- 
vance of  the  white  man  toward  the  West  naturally 
excited  the  Indians  to  oppose  the  progress  of  civili- 
zation and  the  abandonment  of  their  hunting-grounds. 
Ihe  settlers,  thus  exposed  and  harassed  by  Indians, 
were,  for  weeks  at  a  time,  often  penned  up  in  stations 
and  blockhouses  for  protection.  Their  minds  were 
kept  in  a  state  of  fear  and  agitation,  and  their  priva- 
tions and  sufiferings  were  severe. 

The  Indian  hatred  of  the  white  man  greatly  re- 
tarded emigration,  and  brought  on  a  cruel  war,  which 
finally  terminated,  in  1795,  with  General  Wayne's 
treaty  at  Greenville.  From  this  time  forward  the 
6  81 


82  OHIO   METHODISM. 

people  from  tlie  Eastern  States  began  to  flock  into 
Ohio  and  the  West.  The  Northwest  Territory  was 
regarded  as  the  most  important  section  of  the  North 
American  Continent.  Its  natural  attractions  turned 
the  current  of  emigration  westward.  The  pioneers 
penetrated  the  forest  and  valleys,  and  established 
homes;  and  soon  new  settlements  w^ere  multiplied  all 
along  the  Ohio  River  and  its  tributaries. 

At  this  time  Alethodist  itinerants,  full  of  zeal  and 
religious  devotion,  appeared  on  the  scene,  and  followed 
the  tide  of  emigration.  They  penetrated  the  trackless 
wilderness,  and  pushed  forward  into  every  sparsely- 
settled  region,  and  planted  the  standard  of  the  Cross 
in  every  frontier  settlement.  They  found  the  people 
poor  and  often  uncultivated,  but  with  joyful  hearts 
they  shared  the  hardships  and  sacrifices.  They  gath- 
ered the  settlers  for  miles  around  into  log-cabins,  or 
groves  in  summer-time,  and  told  the  gospel  story  of 
love  and  redemption  in  a  manner  that  left  a  powerful 
impression.  It  w-as  just  such  earnest  religious  work 
as  this  that  helped  to  lay  the  foundations  of  a  moral 
empire,  whose  splendor  will  shine  more  and  more  unto 
the  perfect  day. 

The  first  Methodist  jjreaching  in  Ohio  occurred 
in  September,  1787,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State, 
at  Carpenter's  Station,  near  Warrenton,  Jefferson 
County. 

Rev.  George  Callanhan,  a  Methodist  preacher  trav- 
eling the  Ohio  Circuit,  lying  in  Virginia  between 
Wheeling  and  Pittsburg,  was  probably  the  first  man 
to  enter  Ohio,  and  had  the  honor  of  preaching  the 
first  Methodist  sermon.     He  was  invited  to  preach  at 


INTRODUCTION  OF  METHODISM.  83 

Carpenter's  Siation,  where  a  l)lockhouse  was  located 
to  protect  the  frontier  settlements.  On  reaching  the 
place,  he  found  a  congregation  already  assembled. 
"Fifteen  or  twenty  hardy  backwoodsmen,"  says  Sam- 
uel W.  Williams,  "armed  with  rifles,  tomahawks,  and 
scalping-knives,  stood  on  the  outside  of  the  assembly 
as  protectors  against  an  alarm.  After  the  sermon  was 
ended,  a  pressing  invitation  was  given  the  preacher 
to  visit  Carpenter's  Fort  again,  and  he  cheerfully  ac- 
ceded to  the  rec|uest." 

Later,  in  1793,  Francis  Clark,  a  local  preacher  and 
an  honored  pioneer  of  Methodism  in  Kentucky,  came 
to  Fort  Washington,  where  Cincinnati  now  stands, 
and  preached  to  a  few  people.  Mr.  Samuel  Brown, 
who  was  in  the  fort  at  the  time  of  Clark's  visit,  speaks 
of  him  as  a  welcomed  and  respected  messenger  from 
God,  and  says  that  the  people  heard  him  gladly.  On 
November  16,  1795,  James  Smith,  from  Richmond, 
Virginia,  wdio  came  to  Ohio  on  a  prospecting  tour, 
preached  from  Luke  ii,  10,  in  the  cabin  of  Mr.  Talbert, 
a  settler,  living  seven  miles  from  Cincinnati,  on  the 
road  leading  to  Hamilton.  No  effort,  however,  was 
made  to  organize  Methodist  societies  and  establish 
regular  preaching  in  Ohio  until  1798. 

The  recognized  founder  of  Methodism  in  Ohio 
was  Francis  McCormick,  a  local  preacher.  He  was 
a  man  w-orthy  of  this  singular  distinction.  Dn  Abel 
Stevens  says  of  him  that  *'he  had  a  remarkably  sound 
judgment,  a  quick  but  steady  view  of  what  was  be- 
fitting or  expedient;  w^as  a  wise  and  judicious  man, 
and  exceedingly  candid,  accessible,  and  conciliatory 
in  his  manner.     He  was  calmly  but  invincibly  coura- 


84  OHIO  METHODISM. 

gcous,  and  In  his  youth  served  two  campaigns  in  the 
War  of  the  Revohilion,  assisting  in  the  siege  of  York- 
town,  and  witnessing  the  surrender  of  CornwalHs. 
Without  remarkable  talents  as  a  preacher,  his  good 
sense,  his  earnestness,  unction,  and  self-denying  de- 
votion made  him  powerful.  Withal  he  had  an  impos- 
ing presence.  He  was  robust  and  tall,  full  six  feet  in 
height,  and  weighed  two  hundred  and  forty  pounds. 
'His  gigantic  frame  was  surmounted  by  a  well-devel- 
oped head  and  a  florid  face,  expressive  of  good  temper, 
intelligence,  and  benevolence.  He  was  the  center  and 
charm  of  the  social  company  which  his  position  and 
character  drew  around  him.  He  possessed  the  largest 
liberality;  house,  table,  money,  time,  and  influence 
were  freely  devoted  to  God  and  his  Church.  His  home 
was  for  many  years  a  preaching-place,  and  not  un- 
frequently  people  would  come  forty  miles  or  more  to 
hear  the  w^ord  of  life.  All  such  found  cordial  w^elcome, 
not  only  to  a  free  gospel,  but  to  free  entertainment. 
He  lived  not  for  himself,  but  for  the  Church  and  the 
cause  of  God.'  A  giant,  a  pioneer,  a  soldier,  a  Meth- 
odist preacher, — he  was  the  fitting  man  for  his  great 
historic  mission." 

]\IcCormick  was  born  in  Frederick  County,  Vir- 
ginia, June  3,  1764.  It  was  in  1790,  in  the  State  of 
Virginia,  that  he  became  powerfully  awakened,  joined 
a  Methodist  society,  and  that  night  began  to  pray 
in  his  family.  He  was  soon  appointed  class-leader. 
He  began  to  exhort  and  to  preach.  His  chief  aim  and 
work  was  the  promotion  of  religion.  He  did  not 
enter  the  itinerancy,  but  supported  himself  and  family 
by  manual  labor.     In  the  fall  of  1795  he  moved  with 


INTRODUCTION   OF  3fETH0DISM. 


85 


his  family  to  Kentucky,  and  settled  in  Bourbon 
County,  where  he  resided  only  a  short  time.  He 
saw  slavery  extending  around  him.  His  practical  wis- 
dom and  keen  moral  sense  led  him  to  escape  it.  Ac- 
cordingly, in  1797,  he  crossed  the  Ohio  River,  and 
built  a  log-cabin  near  Milford,  in  Clermont  County. 


FRANCIS  Mccormick. 

Here  it  was  that  he  formed  a  class,  which  was  the 
first  Methodist  society  organized  in  the  Northwest 
Territory.  The  class  began  with  ten  persons.  After- 
w^ard  more  were  added.  *Tt  consisted  of  Francis  Mc- 
Cormick,  Philip  and  Joseph  Hill,  Mr.  Johnson,  Ezekiel 
Dimmitt,  John  Ramsey,  and  Asel  Hitchcock,  and  their 
wives,  with  P)arl)ara  IMarlott,  Jane  Easter,  Esther  Mat- 
tox,  William  Salter,  Jeremiah  Hall,  and  John  [Mitchell, 


86  OHIO   METHODISM. 

making  in  all  twenty  members.  In  the  spring  of  1798 
there  was  an  accession  made  to  the  class  of  Joseph 
Avery  and  Jacob  Teal  and  their  wives,  and  Grace  and 
Crecy  Garland;  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  came 
Philip  Gatch  and  wife,  and  two  daughters,  and  Am- 
brose Ransom  and  wife,  increasing  the  number  of  the 
class  to  thirty-two. 

The  organization  of  this  class  marked  the  advent 
of  ]\Iethodism  in  the  Northwest  Territory,  and  to  it 
belongs  the  honor  of  establishing  the  first  outposts 
of  the  Church  in  that  region.  *'The  names  of  its  mem- 
bers stand  high  in  the  annals  of  the  Church — they 
are  good,  old  ]\Iethodist  names — and  to-day  they  are 
an  open  sesame  to  royal  Alethodist  welcome  wherever 
the  followers  of  Wesley  are  found."  He  was  likewise 
successful  in  forming  a  class  near  Lockland,  and 
another  near  Columbia. 

AlcCormick  saw  the  field  white  for  the  harvest. 
His  soul  was  aflame  with  zeal  for  the  Christian  cause. 
Twice  he  urgently  appealed  to  the  Kentucky  Confer- 
ence for  assistance.  "The  good  Spirit  of  the  Lord," 
says  ]\IcCormick,  ''impressed  it  upon  my  mind  that  I 
must  make  a  class  paper,  and  have  my  own  name  and 
that  of  my  family  on  it.  I  did  so,  and  made  up 
a  class  of  ten.  I  then  began  to  hold  meetings 
in  different  places,  and  made  up  two  more.  I 
began  to  be  very  uneasy,  having  no  regular  trav- 
eling preacher.  I  attended  two  of  the  Kentucky 
Conferences  to  persuade  the  preachers  to  come 
over  into  INIacedonia  and  help  us,  but  all  in  vain, 
there  being  but  few  preachers ;  and  these  had  all  Ken- 
tucky and  West  Tennessee  to  travel."     Accordingly 


INTRODUCTION   OF  METHODISM. 


87 


Bishop  As1)iiry,  in  1798,  responded  to  ATcCormick's 
call,  and  appointed  Rev.  John  Kobler,  a  man  of  strong 
constitution  and  exemplary  piety,  as  presiding-  elder 
of  the  Kentucky  District,  but  directed  him  to  go  and 
form  a  circuit  in  Ohio.  Rev.  Valentine  Cook  took 
his  place  on   the   district,   while   Kobler   set   out  for 


McCORMICK'S  GRAVE,  NEAR  MILFORD,  OHIO. 

his  work  in  Ohio.  August  ist  he  crossed  the  Ohio 
River  where  the  little  village  of  Columbia  now  stands. 
The  historian  tells  us  that  when  Columbus  discovered 
the  New  World,  *'on  landing  he  threw  himself  on  his 
knees,  kissed  the  earth,  and  returned  thanks  to  God 
with  tears  of  joy."  Kobler  had  a  mission  no  less  im- 
portant; and  when  he  reached  the  Ohio  soil  he  fell 
upon  his  knees  upon  its  shore,  and  prayed  for  the 


88  oiiio  ^^ETITODIs^^. 

Divine  blessing  upon  his  great  mission.  "That  even- 
ing," he  writes,  "I  reached  the  house  of  Francis  ]\Ic- 
Cormick.  He  Hved  ten  or  fifteen  miles  from  Columbia, 
on  the  bank  of-  the  Little  Miami  River.  On  Thurs- 
day, August  2  (1798),  I  preached  at  his  house  to  a 
tolerable  congregation  on  Acts  xvi,  9:  'And  a  vision 
appeared  to  Paul  in  the  night;  there  stood  a  man  of 
Macedonia,  and  prayed  him,  saying.  Come  over  into 
^lacedonia,  and  help  us.'  It  was  a  time  of  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  who  gave  testimony  to 
the  word  of  his  grace.  The  little  band  was  much 
rejoiced  at  my  arrival  among  them,  together  with  the 
prospect  of  having  circuit-preaching,  with  all  the  priv- 
ileges and  ordinances  of  our  Church.  After  preaching, 
I  met  the  little  class,  read  the  rules  of  the  society,  and 
appointed  Philip  Hill  class-leader.  This  man — namely 
Brother  Hill — I  always  admired  much  in  the  following 
traits:  his  humility,  holiness  of  life,  and  his  extraor- 
dinary gift  in  prayer."  He  found  religious  destitution 
among  the  settlers.  "Many  of  these,"  he  says,  ''had 
not  a  preacher  within  forty  or  fifty  miles  of  them,  ex- 
cept itinerants."  This  faithful  and  zealous  pioneer 
evangelist  was  the  first  regular  itinerant  preacher  sent 
into  the  Northwest  Territory. 

Kobler  spent  five  days  with  McCormick,  and  then 
started  out  to  travel  the  first  missionary  circuit  traced 
in  the  Northwest.  The  boundaries  of  this  circuit 
Kobler  gives  as  follows:  Beginning  at  Columbia,  and 
running  up  the  Little  ]\Iiami  and  Mad  Rivers  to 
Dayton,  thence  down  the  Big  Miami  to  Cincinnati. 
McCormick,  speaking  of  Kobler's  coming,  says:  "His 
coming  was  refreshing  to  all.     I  went  with  him  up 


INTRODUCTION  OF  METHODISM.  89 

the  Little  Miami  and  to  jNIad  River  as  far  as  there 
were  inhabitants,  and  then  down  the  Big  Miami." 

On  December  24th  and  25th  of  this  same  year 
Kobler  had  the  privilege  of  holding  the  first  quarterly- 
meeting  at  Brother  AlcCormick's  house.  Kobler  says: 
"The  meeting  was  full  and  well  attended  by  our  mem- 
bers and  others,  as  general  notice  had  been  given. 
There  were  forty  ^Methodists  present,  all  of  whom 
were  regular  members  of  the  different  classes  around 
the  circuit;  also  there  was  a  goodly  number  under  the 
influence  of  awakening  grace.  On  Sunday  morning 
we  had  sacrament  and  love-feast,  according  to  the 
usages  of  olden  times.  It  was  a  time  of  great  interest 
from  several  considerations.  This  was  the  first  time 
that  the  Lord's  sacramental  table  was  spread  and  sur- 
rounded in  this  wilderness." 

Kobler  continued  to  travel  and  preach  within  the 
Territory  for  about  nine  months,  when  he  returned 
to  Kentucky. 

McCormick  was  full  of  religious  and  patriotic 
ardor.  lie  looked  into  the  future,  and  saw  the  im- 
portance of  having  good  Christian  neighbors  to  help 
plant  "a  church  in  the  wilderness."  He  urged  Ezekicl 
Dimmitt,  a  young  emigrant,  to  settle  in  the  North- 
west, who,  in  1797,  built  his  log-cabin  near  Batavia. 
He  and  his  family  attended  McCormick's  class,  twelve 
miles  distant.  He  became  a  powerful  coadjutor  of 
]\IcCormick.  His  home  was  long  a  lodging  and 
preaching  appointment  of  the  itinerant,  and  he  de- 
servedly ranks  among  the  founders  of  the  denomina- 
tion in  Ohio. 

A  few  months  after  Kobler  entered  the  Territory, 


90  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Philip  Gatch,  a  faitliful  local  preacher,  started  with 
his  family  from  Virginia  for  the  West,  and  settled  in 
McCormick's  neighborhood,  and  likewise  became  his 
co-worker.  Gatch  was  a  local  preacher,  and  active  in 
the  early  history  of  Ohio  Methodism.  "I  purchased," 
says  he,  "a  tract  in  the  forks  of  the  Little  Miami. 
Near  this  place  Brother  Francis  McCormick,  a  Meth- 
odist preacher  from  Virginia,  had  settled  and  collected 
a  society.  This  and  other  considerations  induced  me 
to  settle  where  I  did.  I  preached  in  Newtown  and 
at  two  places  on  the  west  of  the  Miami  River.  Our 
congregations  were  small,  as  the  people  were  thinly 
settled  in  the  neighborhood.  About  the  middle  of 
February  we  had  our  cabin  finished,  and  moved  into 
it.  John  Kobler  had  come  from  Virginia  to  travel 
and  preach  in  this  newly-settled  country.  His  labors 
were  hard,  and  his  difficulties  great;  but  he  sowed  the 
good  seed  of  the  kingdom  in  different  places.  It  en- 
couraged the  few  Methodists  that  were  scattered 
abroad  in  the  new  country," 

]\IcCormick,  after  living  seven  years  at  Milford, 
moved  with  his  family  to  Hamilton  County,  and 
settled  about  ten  miles  east  of  Cincinnati,  where  he 
continued  to  work  earnestly  to  extend  the  influence 
of  the  gospel. 

"Here  again,"  says  J.  W.  Fowble,  'liis  ardent  soul 
went  out  in  prayer  and  ministerial  efforts  for  the  con- 
version of  his  neighbors,  and  again  God  set  his  seal 
of  approbation  to  the  labors  of  his  devoted  servant. 
A  class  was  formed  and  the  neighborhood  supplied 
with  regular  circuit-preaching,  INIcCormick  pushing 
out  in  all  directions  to  open  the  way  for  the  itinerants. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  METHODISM,  9 1 

This  class  was  the  beginning  of  what  has  been  long 
and  widely  known  as  the  Salem  society,  and  in 
early  times  became  identified  with  the  old  White  Oak 
Circuit,  from  the  bounds  of  which  nearly  fifty  preach- 
ers had  been  raised  up  for  the  regular  work  of  the 
Methodist  ministry.  Among  this  number  wereWinans, 
Light,  Simmons,  McClain,  Eddy,  Raper,  Christie, 
Baughman^  Foster,  holding  in  reserve  a  long  list  hav- 
ing an  honest,  though  perhaps  not  so  wide,  a  fame. 
This  class,  the  germ  of  the  Salem  society,  was 
formed  in  McCormick's  new  double  log-cabin.  It  can 
not  now  be  asserted  who  had  the  honor  to  pronounce 
the  dedicatory  address  in  this  primitive  church  in  the 
wilderness;  but  we  know  that  its  pulpit,  a  space  be- 
hind the  chair  uj^on  the  white-ash  floor,  was  after- 
ward occupied  by  such  men  as  Bishops  Whatcoat, 
Asbury,  ^IcKendree,  George,  and  Roberts,  as  well  as 
by  the  chief  lights  of  our  early  Western  ministr}'. 
This  cabin  was  one  of  the  principal  land-harbors  into 
which  those  men  put  for  shelter,  provision,  and  re- 
pair. Here  was  held  many  a  Bishops'  Council;  for 
our  local  preacher  was  one  of  those  wise  and  judicious 
men  whom  a  bishop  might  safely  consult." 

Rev.  Lewis  Hunt,  a  young  man  from  Kentucky, 
was  next  appointed  to  the  Aliami  Circuit,  in  1799. 
He  arrived  at  Brother  Catch's  some  time  in  June. 
A  small  class  was  established  at  Dimmitt's  log-cabin, 
which  was  one  of  the  preaching-places.  Hunt's  health 
was  broken  down  within  a  few  months,  and  Rev.  Henry 
Smith  was  sent,  September  11,  1799,  from  Kentucky 
to  relieve  him.  His  name  appears  in  the  Minutes 
as  the  first  appointment  in  Ohio.     Smith  says:  *^On 


92  OHIO  METHODISM. 

the  15th  of  September  I  set  out  in  company  with  Mc- 
Cormick,  to  meet  Hunt  on  Mad  River.  We  met  him 
at  Wm.  Hamer's,  a  leader  of  the  first  class  founded 
in  that  section,  and  found  him  so  far  recovered  as 
to  be  able  to  go  on  with  his  work.  My  instructions 
were,  if  he  should  be  able  to  continue,  to  go  up  the 
Scioto  and  form  a  circuit  there.  We  consulted  our 
friends,  and  formed  a  plan  of  uniting  Scioto  to  Miami, 
and  making  a  six  weeks'  circuit  of  it.  This  plan  was, 
however,  abandoned  on  account  of  the  great  distance 
between  the  circuits  and  the  dismal  swamp  we  would 
have  to  pass  through  every  round."  They  arranged 
with  each  other  for  Mr.  Smith  to  go  to  Scioto,  and 
accordingly  he  "proceeded  on  his  travels  through 
Southern  Ohio,  in  various  places  preaching  and  form- 
ing classes;  and  on  October  ist  he  came  to  the  house 
of  Colonel  Joseph  Moore,  a  local  preacher  from  Ken- 
tucky, who  had  settled  on  Scioto  Brush  Creek.  Here 
he  found  a  society  of  Methodists  already  organized 
by  that  intrepid  and  zealous  pioneer,  who  made  the 
first  clearing  in  that  part  of  the  Territory.  Soon  after 
he  began  his  improvements,  neighbors  flocked  in;  and 
when  Mr.  Smith  visited  him,  the  society  had  become 
so  numerous  that  no  private  house  was  large  enough 
to  hold  the  congregations  that  came  together  for  w^or- 
ship.  From  this  point  Mr.  Smith  proceeded  up  the 
Scioto  Valley,  preaching  as  he  went,  and  on  the  14th 
of  October  he  rode  into  Chillicothe."  The  next  day 
he  preached  in  Chillicothe,  and  on  July  7,  1800,  he 
organized  the  first  society  of  Methodists  in  this  im- 
portant center  of  the  Church. 

Smith  formed  the  Scioto  Circuit,  which  was  nearly 


INTRODUCTION  OF  METHODISM.  93 

four  hundred  miles  in  extent,  requiring  him  to  preach 
twenty  sermons  every  three  weeks.  He  found  emi- 
grant ^lethodists  scattered  over  this  large  range. 
Many  were  already  organized  into  classes,  and  others 
he  formed.  Smith  found  many  laymen  zealously  at 
work,  helping  to  found  Methodism  within  the  Ter- 
ritory. In  the  number  of  really  great  men  among 
early  Alethodist  laymen  was  Dr.  Tiffin,  a  physician 
of  Chillicothe,  who  had  formed  a  class  at  Anthony 
Davenport's,  Deercreek.  He  was  a  local  preacher, 
and  served  the  Church  faithfully  many  years.  "He 
preached  regularly  to  the  little  society"  at  Daven- 
port's. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Hunt  no  preacher  was  sent 
to  the  Miami  Circuit  for  about  eighteen  months. 
Philip  Catch,  a  faithful  local  preacher,  labored  hard 
to  supply  the  work,  and  a  great  revival  took  place  in 
the  settlement.  The  following  description  of  this  re- 
vival is  taken  from  the  "^Memoirs  of  Philip  Catch:" 

"Some  time  in  the  course  of  1801,  while  destitute 
of  itinerant  ministers,  the  first  distinguished  revival 
commenced  as  follows:  Philip  Catch  had  preached  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  Sabbath,  and  dismissed  the  con- 
gregation; and  stepping  into  another  part  of  his  cabin, 
he  saw  a  colored  boy  that  he  had  raised,  leaning  his 
head  against  the  wall,  crying.  He  spoke  to  him,  and 
the  boy  immediately  fell  to  the  floor,  crying  aloud 
for  mercy.  The  congregation  that  were  still  in  hear- 
ing, returned  to  see  what  was  the  matter,  and  as  they 
entered  the  house,  the  power  of  God  fell  upon  them. 
The  professors,  who  were  conscious  that  they  had  lost, 
in  a  measure,  the  enjoyment  of  religion  in  the  anxieties 


94  OHIO   METHODISM. 

and  cares  and  privations  of  their  new  homes,  began 
to  struggle  for  a  renewal  of  their  spiritual  strength, 
calling  upon  their  classmates  to  help  them,  while  one 
sinner  after  another  was  struck  to  the  floor  and  con- 
strained to  cry  aloud  for  mercy.  The  meeting  lasted 
until  a  late  hour  at  night.  Several  of  the  members 
v^^ere  greatly  blessed,  and  four  or  five  were  converted. 
Religion  now  began  to  show  itself  in  earnest 
prayer-meetings,  which  were  frequently  held  in  differ- 
ent cabins  throughout  the  settlement.  It  was  seldom 
the  case,  where  these  meetings  were  held,  that  one 
or  more  was  not  made  to  experience  religion.  .  .  . 
It  was  a  striking  scene  to  witness  the  breaking-up  of 
one  of  the  night-meetings.  The  people,  though  com- 
ing from  a  distance,  had  no  way  of  returning  in  the 
darkness  but  by  dim  paths  or  traces,  some  of  which 
had  been  first  formed  by  the  tread  of  wild  beasts. 
To  obviate  this  difficulty,  they  would  procure  fagots 
made  of  bark  from  the  trees,  or  splinters  made 
fine,  and  rendered  highly  combustible;  these  would  be 
fired  upon  starting  home,  and  in  every  direction  they 
might  be  seen  like  so  many  meteors,  bounding  amid 
the  thick  forest,  and  gilding  the  foliage  of  the  loftiest 
trees,  while  the  air  would  often  be  made  vocal  with 
the  songs  of  rejoicing  and  praise.  This  revival  spread 
generally  over  the  country  where  such  meetings  were 
established  and  classes  formed." 

In  1802  Elisha  W.  Bowman  was  sent  to  Aliami 
Circuit,  and  continued  the  revival,  and  built  up  the 
work.  The  membership  had  increased  in  four  years 
from  ninety-nine  to  four  hundred  and  fourteen. 

Likewise,  in  1798,  Reece  Woolf,  a  local  preacher, 


INTRODUCTION  OF  METHODISM.  95 

saw  the  f^rcat  field  to  be  occupied,  and  wrote  to  Bishop 
Asbury  from  Little  Kanawha,  Virginia,  uro^ing  him 
for  a  preacher.  Rev.  Robert  Manley  was  sent,  and  re- 
mained three  weeks  in  \^iri:^inia,  and  then  crossed  the 
Ohio  River  to  Marietta,  and  on  April  7,  1799,  preached 
the  g-ospel  to  a  few  people  at  the  cabin  of  William 
McCabe.  He  organized  the  first  Methodist  so- 
ciety in  IMarietta,  which  was  then  the  seat  of  Gov- 
ernment of  the  Territory.  This  class  was  composed  of 
six  persons,  William  McCabe,  John  and  Samuel  Prots- 
man,  and  their  wives.  He  also  formed  a  circuit,  ex- 
tending forty  miles  along  the  Muskingum  River,  and 
left  ten  or  twelve  classes.  Jesse  Stoneman  followed 
him,  and  the  work  rapidly  multiplied  so  that  Rev.  D. 
Hitt  sent  Mr.  Quinn  to  assist  him.  In  1803  Asa 
Shinn  organized  a  circuit  on  the  Hockhocking  with 
fifteen  societies.  Thus  Methodism  kept  pace  with  the 
settlements,  and  within  a  few  years  scores  of  circuits 
were  formed  along  the  tributaries  of  the  Ohio. 

The  Methodist  itinerants  invaded  Ohio  from  the 
east  as  well  as  from  the  south.  They  made  their  way 
across  the  line  which  divided  Pennsylvania  from  Ohio. 

Youngstown  began  to  be  settled  as  early  as  1793, 
and  Cleveland  in  1796.  Settlements  with  a  few  families 
were  commenced  in  1799  in  Canfield,  Deerfield,  War- 
ren, Ravenna,  Hudson,  INIentor,  Willoughby,  Wind- 
sor, and  Austinburg.  In  1800,  Paynesville,  became 
the  nucleus  of  a  flourishing  settlement.  The  Western 
Reserve  was  dotted  over  with  settlements,  widely  sep- 
arated and  exposed  to  many  hardships.  In  1801,  Rev. 
Obed  Crosby,  a  local  preacher,  moved  from  Connec- 
ticut with  his  familv,  and  settled  in  Vernon,  Trumbull 


96  OHIO   METHODISM. 

County,  and  some  time  in  June,  or  early  in  July, 
formed  the  first  Methodist  society  on  the  Western  Re- 
serve. It  consisted  of  five  members — Obed  Crosby 
and  wife,  Ewins  Wright  and  wife,  and  Eunice  Brock- 
way,  wdio  afterwards  married  Daniel  Bushnell,  of 
Hartford.  This  society  afterwards  bore  the  name  of 
Hartford.  The  following  year  Rev.  Henry  Shewel, 
an  old-fashioned  local  preacher,  a  native  of  New  Jer- 
sey, removed  to  Deerfield,  Portage  County,  and  some 
time  during  the  summer  he  collected  together  the 
Methodist  families,  and  formed  them  into  a  class. 
They  were  Henry  Shewel  and  wife,  Lewis  Ely  and 
wife,  Ephraim  Hubbard  and  wife,  Simeon  Card  and 
wife,  Lewis  Day,  and  Daniel  Diver  and  wife. 

Rev.  Noah  Fidler  was  on  the  Erie  Circuit  in  1803, 
w^hen  he  crossed  the  Pennsylvania  line  into  Ohio,  and 
formed  a  class  in  the  town  of  Hubbard. 

The  first  regular  appointed  preacher  to  Eastern 
Ohio  \vas  Rev.  Shadrach  Bostwick.  He  w^as  a  phy- 
sician as  well  as  a  zealous  and  devoted  preacher.  It 
was  providential  that  Dr.  Tiffin  in  Southern,  and  Dr. 
Bostwick  in  Eastern  Ohio,  should  be  raised  up  to  do 
such  valiant  service  for  the  Church.  In  1803  the  Bal- 
timore Conference  appointed  him  missionary  to  Deer- 
field,  the  home  of  his  father-in-law,  Daniel  Diver.  He 
found  time  to  visit  other  settlements  and  render  ef- 
ficient services  in  preaching  and  organizing  societies. 

This  year  he  was  induced  to  visit  Youngstown, 
where  he  was  refused  the  privilege  of  preaching  in  the 
small  log-houses  built  for  religious  services  by  the 
citizens,  but  occupied  by  the  Presbyterians.  Judge 
Rayen  invited  him  to  preach  in  his  barn,  which  he  did 


IMRODUCTION   OF  METHODISM. 


97 


until  a  better  place  was  provided.  He  formed  a  class, 
and  the  work  grew. 

After  serving-  the  Church  two  years,  he  located; 
but  he  continued  to  travel  and  preach  extensively,  and 
evidently  accomplished  a  great  deal  of  good. 

The  Erie  and  Deerfield  Circuit  was  supplied,  in 
1805,  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Shackelford  and  R.  R.  Roberts, 


R.  R.  ROBERTS. 

afterward  made  bishop.  The  boundaries  of  this  circuit 
were  more  than  four  hundred  miles  long,  which  had 
to  be  traversed  every  four  weeks.  These  men  were 
instrumental  in  forming  a  society  in  Mantua,  Portage 
County,  and  in  several  other  localities. 

Rev.  John  Norris,  a  local  preacher,  in  1812,  formed 
a  class  in  Windsor,  and  began  to  preach.     During 
the  year  18 14,  Father  Shewel,  a  faithful  old  pioneer, 
7 


gS  OHIO  METHODISM. 

with  his  family,  settled  in  Rootstown,  Portag-e  County, 
and  formed  a  class,  and  also  one  at  Ravenna.  Mr. 
Laine  formed  a  class  at  Nelson  and  another  at  Niles. 
In  1818,  Rev.  R.  Eddy  formed  a  class  in  Mentor,  and  in 
the  following  year  one  at  Bloomfield,  Austinburg, 
East  Farmington,  Mayfield.  The  same  year  Mr. 
Mahan  formed  a  class  in  Warren.  Elder  Wm.  Swayze, 
in  company  with  Mr.  Green,  visited  Painesville,  in 
1820,  and,  after  preaching  to  a  few  people,  formed  a 
class.  The  Rev.  James  Mclntire  had  the  honor  of 
forming  the  first  class  near  Akron  this  same  year.  It 
was  not  until  1827  that  Mr.  Crawford  formed  a  class 
in  Cleveland,  where  Methodism  now  has  such  a  strong 
hold. 

The  introduction  of  Methodism  on  the  Western  Re- 
serve was  no  easy  task.  The  inhabitants  were  mostly 
from  New  England,  and  were  slow  to  yield  their  Cal- 
vinistic  prejudices  in  favor  of  Arminianism,  with  its 
broad  platform  of  salvation  to  every  penitent  soul. 
Methodism  made  steady  progress  in  this  Puritan  soil, 
notwithstanding  a  polemic  warfare  was  waged  wher- 
ever it  made  for  itself  a  home.  Providence  raised  up 
such  men  as  Bostwick,  Ouinn,  and  Roberts,  and  a 
host  of  strong  men  with  giant  intellect,  versed  in  the 
Bible,  and  with  a  knowledge  of  the  plan  of  salvation. 
They  did  for  Ohio,  in  this  controversial  period,  what 
Lee  and  Brodhead,  Pickering,  and  Fisk  performed 
for  Methodism  in  New  England.  These  men  were 
eminently  fitted  by  nature  and  grace  to  accomplish 
a  work  that  would  usher  in  a  period  of  peace  and 
prosperity  to  the  cause  of  Methodism. 

"Methodism   at  that  time   (18 17),   and  previous," 


INTRODUCTION   OF  METHODISM. 


99 


says  Alfred  Rriinson.  "had  but  little  foothold  on  the 
Reserve.    The  peoi)le  g-enerally  adhered  to  the  forms. 


I'RED  BRUNSON. 


creed,  and   mode  of  worship   of  their   New   England 
forefathers.     A  few  Methodists  had  emigrated   from 


lOO  OHIO   METHODISM. 

the  East,  and  a  few  had  come  from  Maryland^  Vir- 
ginia, and  Pennsylvania;  but  when  all  these  were  put 
together,  they  bore  but  a  small  proportion  to  the  mass 
of  the  people.  The  Congregationalists  having  been 
long  'the  standing  order'  in  New  England,  they  felt 
their  dignity  in  their  new  homes;  and  the  Methodists 
were  treated  as  intruders,  and  with  much  contempt. 
The  first  schoolhouses  were  built  before  the  Ohio 
school  system  was  adopted,  and,  of  course,  by  sub- 
scriptions, and  not  taxes.  As  the  settlements  were 
weak,  a  union  of  all  parties  was  invoked  to  help  build, 
with  the  promise  that  the  houses  should  not  only  be 
for  schools,  but  be  free  to  all  denominations  to  wor- 
ship God  in.  As  soon,  however,  as  the  houses  were 
finished,  'the  standing  order'  took  possession  of  them 
whenever  they  came  along,  to  the  exclusion  of  others, 
and  especially  of  the  Methodists.  We  learned  that 
the  freedom  to  worship  for  all  denominations  meant 
that  they  all  might  do  so,  under  the  government  and 
control  of  'the  standing  order,'  and  when  no  minister 
of  that  order  was  present.  In  some  places  the  Meth- 
odists might  occupy  the  house.  In  a  few,  and  a  very 
few,  places,  where  we  had  a  society  and  friends,  we 
were  allowed  to  occupy  these  houses  as  of  the  first 
right. 

"Under  these  circumstances,  our  circuits  and  dis- 
tricts being  large,  and  the  Churches  being  poor, and  the 
support  being  small,  they  (the  circuits)  were  supplied 
by  young  and  single  men  from  the  lower  part  of  Ohio 
and  from  Kentucky.  .  .  .  These  young  men,  after 
receiving  their  appointments  at  Conference,  would  go 
home  and  visit  their  friends,  and  calculate  to  reach 


IXTRODUCTION    OF  METHODISM.  lOI 

their  field  of  labor,  ,G;cnerally,  jnst  1)eforc  their  first 
quarterly-meeting-,  and  leave  for  a  home  visit  imme- 
diately after  their  fourth  quarterly-meeting.  By  this 
mode  of  service  the  circuits  were  generally  without 
preaching  for  at  least  three  months  every  year.    .    .    . 

"Under  these  circumstances  Methodism  did,  and 
could,  grow  but  little,  until  a  change  took  place,  and 
preachers  were  raised  up  among  us,  or  those  sent  to 
us  got  married,  and  made  their  homes  there.  When 
this  was  done,  they  would  stay  on  their  work  till  just 
time  enough,  by  hard  travel,  to  reach  the  seat  of  Con- 
ference; and,  when  that  was  over,  return  as  quick  as 
their  horses  would  carry  them.  As  soon  as  this  state 
of  things  was  inaugurated,  Methodism  began  to  rise 
with  rapid  strides.  Three  preachers,  James  McMa- 
hon,  Ira  Eddy,  and  Ezra  Booth,  who  came  to  us  in  a 
single  state,  married  in  the  country.  As  preachers 
in  those  days  who  had  wives  found  it  convenient  and 
necessary  to  live  near  their  wives'  relations,  from 
whom  they  derived  a  portion  of  their  support,  these 
brethren  were  fastened  to  the  country." 

In  1818  Lower  Sandusky,  now  Fremont,  was  sup- 
plied with  ministers  sent  out  from  the  Ohio  Huron 
Mission.  William  Westlake  supplied  the  place  in  1819. 
He  "preached  in  all  the  towns  and  rural  settlements 
made  accessible,  and  was  the  first  minister  who  vis- 
ited and  preached  in  Tififin,  Portland.  Lower  Sandusky, 
Pryor  Neighborhood,  and  a  few  times  at  W^oodville, 
Perrysburg,  and  Maumee  City.  In  1820,  Dennis 
Goddard  was  sent  upon  this  charge,  and  as  the  country 
had  improved,  Mr.  Goddard  commenced  organizing 
the  Church,  and  established  Methodism  in  Portland, 


I02  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Norwalk,  ]\Iilan,  Huron,  Tiffin,  Lower  Sandusky, 
Woodville,  Stony  Ridge,  Prior  Settlement,  and  in  what 
is  now  Ottawa  County,  in  the  Day  Neighborhood, 
Shaw  Settlement,  and  a  few  other  places  between  what 
is  now  Oak  Harbor  and  the  county-seat.  During  his 
two  years  upon  this  charge,  in  1821,  he  returned  a 
membership  to  Conference  of  three  hundred  and 
ninety-nine." 

Methodism  was  established  in  Tremainsville,  now 
incorporated  in  the  city  of  Toledo,  as  early  as  1825. 
The  first  ^Methodist  class  was  formed  at  the  home  of 
Eli  Hubbard,  and  became  the  nucleus  of  the  Tremains- 
ville ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  Church.  This  same  year 
a  class  was  also  formed  at  the  home  of  Noah  A.  Whit- 
ney. ''The  first  house  for  public  worship,"  says  E.  C. 
Gavitt,  ''by  any  denomination  whatever,  in  North- 
western Ohio,  was  built  at  this  place.  This  church 
was  commenced  in  1834,  and  finished  in  1835.  '^^^^ 
first  ]\Iethodist  class  formed  in  this  place,  in  1825, 
was  the  nucleus  of  ?\Iethodism  in  Northwestern  Ohio." 
In  1832,  Toledo  proper  was  a  small  place  with  but  few 
houses.  In  October  of  this  year  Rev.  E.  C.  Gavitt 
claims  to  have  preached  the  first  sermon  to  about 
twelve  persons  in  a  warehouse  occupied  by  Air.  God- 
dard.  Rev.  E.  H.  Pilcher  preached  on  January  2y, 
1833.  Prior  to  this,  however,  Rev.  John  K.  Baugh- 
man,  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  must  have  preached  in 
Tremainsville,  as  it  was  embraced  in  his  circuit  in  1825. 
St.  Paul's  Church,  Toledo,  was  organized  in  1836. 
Thus  Methodism,  with  its  great  network  of  preaching- 
places,   was   spread   throughout   Ohio   and   the   most 


INTRODUCTION  OF  MKTIIODIS^r.  103 

remote  settlement  felt  the  transforming  influence  of 
the  gospel. 

jMethodism  was  introduced  under  the  leadership 
of  earnest,  self-sacrificing  men  of  God.  Great  relig- 
ious zeal  and  enthusiasm  characterized  their  labors. 
They  rank  among  tlie  bravest  and  most  heroic  men  of 
any  age  in  the  world's  history.  The  religious  life  they 
everywhere  awakened  became  a  powerful  social  ele- 
ment. The  Christian  principles  they  taught  w^ere  grad- 
ually interwoven  into  the  social  fa1)ric,  and  made  pos- 
sible a  Christian  community.  Each  consecrated 
Christian  life  became  a  social  energy  which  worked  for 
the   development   of   social   order   and   righteousness. 

The  strength  and  impetus  given  l)y  these  men  to 
the  flexible  organization  of  jMethodism  in  its  purpose 
to  spread  the  gospel,  and  to  build  up  quiet,  peaceable 
communities,  can  never  be  fully  appreciated.  They 
gave  inspiration  to  long  and  glorious  periods  of 
growth. 

The  introduction  of  Methodism  in  Ohio  w^as  op- 
portune. The  early  settlers  were  often  strangers  to 
each  other.  They  scarcely  began  work  in  a  new  coun- 
try before  the  ^Methodist  preacher  was  calling  them 
to  the  service  of  God.  The  pioneers  were  generally 
separated  from  old  associates  and  customs,  and  became 
more  receptive  to  the  influences  of  the  gospel.  At  a 
later  period,  when  the  social  bonds  were  stronger  and 
the  individual  was  hedged  about  by  customs,  it  might 
have  been  more  difficult  to  bring  him  under  the  power 
of  a  divine  life.  Surely  there  was  a  providence  in 
this  religious  movement,  working  for  truth  and  right- 
eousness in  the  world. 


Chapter  IV. 

©rnroilj  of  M^tljotiism. 


"_^TUDENTS  of  ecclesiastical  history  have  estimated  that  at  the 
*^  close  of  the  first  century  of  the  Christian  era,  Christianity 
numbered  not  over  five  hundred  thousand  converts  in  the  w^hole 
world;  but  in  eighty-six  years  American  Christianity  alone  gained 
eleven  million  five  hundred  thousand,  or  twenty-three  times  as 
many.  The  part  Methodism  has  shared  in  this  work  may  be  judged 
from  the  fact  that  about  four  million  five  hundred  thousand  of  the 
twelve  million  communicants,  or  over  one  third,  in  1886,  were 
Methodists  of  various  branches." — Dorchester. 

"(o^ETHODISM  is  the  most  powerful  element  in  the  religious 
^     prosperity  of  the  United  States,  as  well  as  one  of  the  firmest 
pillars  of  our  civil  and  religious  institutions." — Robe^'t  Baird. 

106 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  growth  and  achievements  of  Methodism  in 
Ohio  are  unparalleled  by  that  of  any  other  de- 
nomination. Prior  to  the  organization  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  in  1784,  the  Methodist  preach- 
ers had  traveled  over  the  entire  country,  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  mountains  of  Tennessee. 

From  this  period  we  date  the  growth  of  circuits. 
We  have  seen  how  that  small  groups  of  families  were 
scattered  here  and  there  along  the  water-courses,  when 
Kobler,  the  first  missionary,  was  sent  into  the  Ter- 
ritory. It  was  during  the  year  1798  that  he  formed 
the  first  regular  circuit  in  Ohio,  know^n  as  the  Miami. 
Its  boundaries  are  thus  given  by  Kobler:  "Beginning 
at  Columbia,  and  running  up  the  Little  Aliami  and 
Mad  River  to  Dayton,  thence  down  the  Big  Miami 
to  Cincinnati."  In  1805,  Rev.  John  Meek  describes 
the  boundaries  of  this  circuit  as  follows:  ''Including 
the  Aliami  Valley,  from  Cincinnati  to  the  settlement 
two  miles  from  the  spot  of  ground  where  the  beautiful 
town  of  Urbana  is  built.  Extending  and  spreading 
from  the  Big  Miami  River  to  White  Oak  Creek  into 
what  is  now  called  Brown  County,  at  Brother  Davis's, 
near  Georgetown." 

The  Scioto  Circuit  was  the  next  formed  by  Henry 

Smith,  in  1799.  who,  on  the  23d  of  September,  started 

up  the  Ohio,  and  began  his  work  at  Eagle  Creek.    He 

says:   "I   commenced  on   Eagle   Creek,  and  directed 

107 


I08  OHIO  METHODISM. 

my  course  toward  the  Scioto,  and  thence  up  the  river 
to  ChilHcothe.  In  three  weeks  I  formed  Scioto  Cir- 
cuit, preaching  a  number  of  times,  and  sending  ap- 
pointments to  other  places  against  I  came  around 
again."  The  Scioto  Circuit  had  grown  in  1816  to  em- 
brace parts  of  what  are  now  the  counties  of  Delaware, 
Franklin,  Madison,  Fayette,  Highland,  Brown, 
Adams,  Scioto,  Pike,  Jackson,  Ross,  Pickaway,  and 
the  greater  part  of  Fairfield. 

The  work  of  Methodism  in  the  eastern  part  of  Ohio 
fell  under  the  name  of  the  Erie  and  Deerfield  Circuit, 
which  was  formed  In  1S05.  It  extended  more  than 
four  hundred  miles  in  length,  and  embraced  part  of 
Pennsylvania.  This  circuit  grew  until  it  became 
necessary  to  divide  it,  in  18 10.  The  western  part,  ly- 
ing chiefly  in  Ohio,  was  called  the  Flartford  Circuit, 
and  took  in  nearly  all  the  settlements  where  Meth- 
odism was  planted  in  Eastern  Ohio.  In  18 12  this  cir- 
cuit was  again  divided.  The  Grand  River  Circuit  ex- 
tended along  the  lake  shore  to  the  eastern  line  of  Ohio 
to  the  mouth  of  a  river  by  that  name,  while  the 
Trumbull  Circuit  embraced  the  south  part  of  the  old 
Hartford  Circuit,  lying  mostly  along  the  waters  of 
the  Mahoning  River. 

Rev.  Alfred  Brunson  traveled  the  Huron  Circuit 
in  1818.  *'My  circuit,"  he  says,  "extended  from  Black 
River,  along  the  Ridge  Road,  by  where  Norwalk  now 
stands,  which  was.  laid  out  in  the  spring  of  18 18,  to 
the  Httle  town  of  New  Haven;  and  from  thence,  by 
a  zigzag  course,  to  Sandusky  Bay,  at  Venice  and 
Portland,  now  Sandusky  City;  then  through  Perkins, 
east  along  the  lake  shore,  to  the  place  of  beginning. 


GROWTH   OF  METHODISM,  I09 

I  soon  formed  a  four  weeks'  circuit  of  twenty-four  ap- 
pointments, with  two  hundred  miles  travel  to  com- 
pass it.  I  preached  the  first  sermon  ever  preached 
in  many  places,  and  especially  Sandusky  City,  then 
containing  but  some  thirty  houses.  ...  I  trav- 
eled this  (Huron)  circuit  six  months,  and  from  five 
appointments  that  were  furnished  me  to  begin  with, 
I  enlarged  it  to  one  of  four  weeks,  with  twenty-four 
appointments,  and  returned  145  members,  being  an 
increase  of  seventy-five  over  that  I  found.  I  held  a 
quarterly-meeting  in  January,  18 18,  at  Perkins,  soon 
after  I  reached  the  circuit;  but  as  Brother  Finley 
could  not  reach  the  place,  I  held  it  alone,  having  the 
Lord's  Supper  administered  by  Brothers  Beattie  and 
Gurley,  I  not  being  then  ordained.  In  March,  Brother 
Finley  held  one  for  us  in  New  Haven,  in  the  height 
of  our  revival  there;  and  in  July,  Rev.  D.  D.  Davisson 
came  as  a  substitute  for  the  presiding  elder,  and  held 
the  third  in  a  barn  on  a  prairie,  near  the  center  of  the 
county." 

In  1820  the  Mahoning  Circuit  included  the  most 
of  Trumbull  County,  and  part  of  Portage.  Trumbull 
then  included  what  is  now  Mahoning  County.  It  was 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  round,  having  about 
thirty  appointments. 

The  Grand  River  Circuit,  in  1821,  "lay  in  Ashta- 
bula, Geauga,  and  Trumbull  Counties,  and  had  forty- 
four  appointments  to  be  filled  in  four  weeks,  being 
about  two  hundred  miles  round  it." 

The  work  on  the  circuits  made  such  progress  that 
it  became  necessary  to  combine  several  circuits,  and 
form  them  into  a  district.     Accordingly  Bishop  As- 


no 


OHIO   METHODISM. 


bury,  in  1803,  sent  William  Riirke  into  Ohio  to  form 
the  Ohio  District,  the  first  in  the  State.  This  district 
"included  all  the  settlements  from  the  Big  Miami  up 
to  the  neighborhood  of  Steubenville,  which  was  then 
called  West  Wheeling  Circuit,  running  down  the  Ohio, 
including  Little  Kanawha  and  Guyandotte  Circuits  in 
Virginia,  and  some  settlements  on  Licking,  in  the 
State  of  Kentucky," 


BISHOP  ASBURY. 


Burke  entered  upon  his  work  in  October,  1803. 
"The  first  quarterly-meeting,"  he  says,  "was  at  Ward's 
meeting-house — a  new  house  built  of  rough  beech 
logs — on  Duck  Creek,  Hamilton  County^  near  where 
Madisonville  is  now  situated.  John  Sale  and  Joseph 
Oglesby  were  the  circuit  preachers.  This  was  then 
called  the  Miami  Circuit,  and  included  all  the  settle- 
ments between  the  Miamis  and  as  far  north,  including 


GROWTH   OF  METHODISM.  HI 

the  settlements  on  Mad  River,  as  high  up  as  the  neigh- 
borhood where  Urbana  now  stands,  and  east  of  the 
Little  Miami  as  high  up  as  the  settlements  on  Bull- 
skin,  and  all  the  settlements  on  the  East  Fork  of  the 
Little  Miami,  and  a  few  settlements  in  Campbell 
County,  Kentucky.  This  route  the  preachers  accom- 
plished in  six  weeks.  We  organized  two  quarterly- 
meetings  in  the  bounds,  so  that  the  presiding  elder  was 
two  weeks  in  the  bounds  of  the  circuit,  preaching 
nearly  every  day.  The  most  easterly  appointment  was 
at  Brother  Boggs's,  on  the  Little  Miami,  a  few  miles 
from  the  Yellow  Springs.  From  that  point  we  gen- 
erally started  at  daylight  for  the  settlements  on  the 
Scioto,  having  between  forty  and  fifty  miles,  without 
a  house,  to  the  first  inhabitants  at  old  Chillicothe. 
The  Scioto  Circuit  included  all  that  tract  of  country 
inhabited  on  Paint  Creek  out  to  New  Market,  Brush 
Creek,  Eagle  Creek,  and  Ohio  Brush  Creek,  and  up 
the  Ohio  to  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto,  and  then  up  the 
Scioto  to  the  Pickaway  Plains,  including  Chillicothe 
and  the  settlements  on  White's  Creek,  a  four  weeks' 
circuit.  From  thence  one  day's  ride  to  the  settlements 
in  Hocking  A'alley,  which  was  called  Hocking  Circuit, 
which  lay  principally  on  that  river  and  its  tributaries, 
and  a  few  settlements  on  the  waters  of  Walnut  Creek. 
From  New  Lancaster  we  generally  took  two  days 
and  a  half  to  reach  the  bounds  of  West  Wheeling  Cir- 
cuit, in  the  neighborhood  where  St.  Clairsville  is  now 
located.  This  was  a  four  weeks'  circuit,  including  the 
settlements  on  the  Oliio  River,  and  extending  back 
to  the  frontier  settlements  on  the  West  Wheeling  and 
Short  Creek,  etc.     From  this  point  we  returned  by 


112  OHIO   METHODISM. 

the  same  route  to  New  Lancaster,  and  then  down  the 
Hocking  to  Sunday  Creek  and  Monday  Creek,  and 
then  over  to  Alarictta  Circuit.  This  circuit  was  up  and 
down  the  Ohio  from  Marietta,  as  low  down  as  the 
settlements  were  formed,  and  up  to  the  head  of  Long 
Reach,  and  up  the  Muskingum  River  as  far  as  Clover 
Bottom  and  Wolf  Creek,  and  so  down  to  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Marietta,  and  over  the  Ohio  into  Virginia, 
on  the  waters  of  the  Little  Kanawha.  This  was  called 
the  Muskingum  and  Little  KaiiaicJia  Circuit.  It  was 
but  a  three  weeks'  circuit,  and  had  one  preacher. 
From  the  neighborhood  of  Marietta  we  started  down 
the  Ohio  River  by  way  of  Graham's  Station  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Great  Kanawha,  and  down  to  Green  Bot- 
tom— Brother  Spurlock's — which  was  the  first  appoint- 
ment on  Guyandotte  Circuit.  This  circuit  contained 
all  the  territory  south  and  west  of  the  Great  Kanawha, 
and  down  to  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Sandy  and  the 
settlements  back  from  the  Ohio  River. 

"This  was  a  field  of  labor  that  required  about  eleven 
weeks  to  accomplish,  and  many  privations.  The 
Methodists  were,  in  those  days,  like  angel's  visits,  few 
and  far  between,  and  we  were  half  our  time  obliged 
to  put  up  in  taverns  and  places  of  entertainment,  sub- 
ject to  the  disorder  and  abuse  of  the  unprincipled  and 
half-civilized  inmates,  suffering  zvith  hunger  and  cold, 
and  sleeping  in  open  cabins  on  the  floor,  sometimes 
without  bed  or  covering,  and  but  little  prospect  of  any 
support  from  the  people  among  whom  we  labored, 
and  none  from  any  other  source;  for  there  was  no 
provision  in  those  days  for  missionaries.  But,  not- 
withstanding all  the  privations  and  sufferings  that  we 


GROWTH  or  ^^ETHODISM.  113 

endured,  we  had  the  consolation  tliat  our  labor  was 
not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  We  were  gratified  in  having 
souls  for  our  hire,  and  rejoiced  to  see  the  wilderness 
blossom  as  the  rose.  New  societies  sprang  up  in  va- 
rious places,  the  circuits  were  enlarged,  immigration 
increased,  and  the  forest  was  subdued,  and  comforts 
multiplied. 

"In  the  fall  of  1805  I  was  removed  from  the  Ohio 
District  to  the  Kentucky  District,  and  Brother  John 
Sale  ivas  appointed  my  successor.  ,  .  .  The  two 
years  that  I  presided  in  the  Ohio  District  laid  the 
foundation  for  the  future  success  of  Methodism.  We 
had  been  successful  in  introducing  our  doctrines  into 
almost  every  neighborhood,  and  this  formed  a  nucleus 
for  the  immigrants  that  were  constantly  arriving  in  the 
country.  Numbers  of  ]\Iethodists  from  \^irginia, 
Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  and  the  eastern 
States,  settled  in  the  Miami,  Scioto,  Hocking,  and 
Muskingum  \'alleys,  and  a  goodly  number  of  valuable 
local  preachers  settled  among  them,  and  united  with 
us  in  carrying  on  the  good  work  of  God,  under  the 
superintendence  of  Divine  Providence.  Numbers  of 
young  men  were  raised  up  in  different  sections  of  the 
western  country,  and  entered  the  missionary  field  full 
of  zeal,  and  eminently  pious,  and  by  this  means  we 
were  enabled  to  follow  immigration  and  the  wide- 
spread settlements." 

The  first  Conference  held  in  the  \\'est  was  at  Half- 
Acres,  in  Tennessee,  in  Alay,  1788,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  one  in  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania,  in  July, 
1788. 

The  Western   Conference  was  formed  by   Bishop 


114  OHIO   METHODISM, 

Asbury,  in  1796.  It  originally  embraced  all  the  ter- 
ritory west  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains.  In  1805,  this 
Conference  included  twenty-six  circuits,  five  dis- 
tricts, stretching  from  the  Muskingum  and  the  Ohio 
to  the  Opelousas  in  Louisiana,  and  having  thirty- 
seven  preachers.  At  this  time  there  was  but  one  dis- 
trict in  Ohio;  but,  in  1810,  Ohio  alone  contained  three 
districts,  twenty-one  circuits,  and  thirty-one  preachers, 
with  eight  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-one 
members. 

The  field  was  divided  and  subdivided  as  the  neces- 
sities of  the  work  grew.  The  General  Conference  of 
18 1 2  divided  the  Western  Conference  into  the  Ohio 
and  Tennessee  Conferences.  The  first  session  of  the 
Ohio  Conference  took  place  in  Chillicothe,  in  October, 
18 1 2.  "The  Ohio  Conference,  when  organized,  em- 
braced, geographically.  Big  and  Little  Kanawhas,  in 
Virginia,  extending  westward  into  the  State  of  In- 
diana, north  to  the  lakes;  the  base  of  its  eastern  line 
took  in  the  Redstone  Circuit  on  the  western  slope  of 
the  Alleghanies,  and  it  extended  southward  far  into 
the  State  of  Kentucky."  There  were  six  districts  in 
the  Ohio  Conference;  namely,  Ohio,  Muskingum,  Sci- 
oto, ]\Iiami,  Kentucky,  and  Salt  River. 

The  Erie  Conference  was  formed  in  1836,  which 
embraced  the  western  part  of  New  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Eastern  Ohio,  including  Akron  and  Cleveland. 
The  work  grew  so  rapidly  that,  in  1840,  the  Ohio 
Conference  was  divided  by  the  organization  of  the 
North  Ohio  Conference,  which  embraced  a  portion  of 
the  territory  now  included  in  the  Michigan  Conference. 


0  J^  ^O 


I  I  S  H  E  L  B-vi-^  Belief ontai'ne  ^V^ 


MORROW 


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UNION)  I\El\aWARE    T     "^  ^^ 

o  ] 

Delaware 


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galliaS  ^"Nxi^ 


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'RENCEi 


CONFERENCES  IN  OHIO, 

1.  CINCINNATI. 

2.  OHIO. 

3.  CENTRAL  OHIO. 

4.  NORTH  OHIO. 

5.  EAST  OHIO. 


GROWTH   OF  METHODISM.  II5 

In  1852,  the  territory  in  Kentucky  was  detached 
from  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  the  Cincinnati  Con- 
ference was  formed,  h^our  years  later  the  Central 
Ohio  Conference  was  formed  at  Lima.  It  was  then 
called  the  Delaware  Conference,  but  in  i860  it  was 
changed  to  bear  the  name  of  the  Central  Ohio  Con- 
ference. The  last  division  of  the  territory  of  Ohio 
was  made  in  1876,  when  the  East  Ohio  Conference 
was  organized,  and  embraced  most  of  the  territory 
in  Eastern  Ohio. 

The  territory  of  Ohio  now  contains  five  large  Con- 
ferences, thirty-two  presiding  elders'  districts;  and  her 
churches  and  circuits  can  be  counted  by  the  hun- 
dreds. 

Through  the  influence  of  Rev.  William  Nast,  of 
Cincinnati,  the  "Father  of  German  Methodism, ''  the 
first  German  Methodist  society  was  formed  in  1838, 
and  reported  the  first  year  thirty  members.  The  work 
grew  slowly  but  steadily.  The  General  Conference, 
in  1864,  organized  the  German  Methodists  into  three 
separate  Conferences.  The  Central  German  Con- 
ference embraces  the  work  in  Ohio,  and  had,  in  1897, 
six  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy-three  mem- 
bers, thirty-one  local  preachers,  and  forty-five  pas- 
tors. 

The  Lexington  Conference  of  the  IMethodist  Epis- 
copal Church  extends  its  work  into  Ohio  among  the 
colored  brethren,  and  had  for  the  same  year  three 
thousand  members  and  thirty  pastors. 

One  of  the  external  signs  of  the  growth  of  Meth- 
odism   in    Ohio    is    the    large    number    of    beautiful 


ii6 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


church  edifices.  A  live  Christian  Church  naturally 
exhibits  its  interest  in  tlie  advancement  of  Christ's 
kino^dom  by  erecting  commodious  and  attractive  build- 
ings for  worship. 


REV.  WILLIAM  NAST. 


The  Methodist  people  in  Ohio  began  their  wor- 
ship in  a  very  hum1)le  manner.  The  log-cabins,  barns, 
and  sheltering  woods  were  the  common  sanctuaries. 
The  first  IMethodist  meetins^-house  was  built  on  Scioto 


GROWTH   OF  METIfODISM.  II7 

Brush  Creek,  in  1800.  The  year  previous,  Rev. 
Henry  Smith  had  come  to  Ohio,  and  preached  to  sev- 
eral settlements  on  the  Scioto  and  Miami  Rivers.  On 
October  i,  1800,  he  says:  "I  rode  to  Joseph  Moore's, 
Scioto  Brush  Creek.  Here  I  found  a  considerable 
society  already  organized  by  Brother  Moore.  Here 
I  had  some  success,  and  the  society  increased,  so  that 
on  the  6th  of  August,  1800,  we  proposed  building  a 
meeting-house;  for  no  private  house  would  hold  our 
week-day  congregation.  But  we  met  with  some  op- 
position, for  some  wanted  a  free  house.  But  as  no 
one  seemed  to  care  for  their  souls  but  the  Methodists, 
it  appeared  to  me  like  foolishness  to  build  a  house 
for  other  denominations  before  they  came  and 
wanted  a  house.  We,  however,  succeeded  in  building 
a  small  log-house,  but  then  large  enough  for  the  neigh- 
borhood, the  first  Methodist  meeting-house  on  the 
circuit,  and  perhaps  the  first  in  the  Northwestern 
Territory." 

The  church  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God 
on  August  29,  1801.  It  stood  nine  miles  back  from 
Rome,  in  Adams  County,  one  mile  and  a  quarter  from 
Brush  Creek,  on  Wintersteen's  Run.  "The  building 
was  twenty-four  feet  square,  with  a  very  small  door 
and  window  on  either  side,  and  was  built  of  scored 
logs.  It  was  surrounded  by  a  burying-ground,  where 
a  number  of  early  settlers  sleep."  It  was  used  for 
worship  for  about  twenty  years,  and  then  gave  place 
to  a  better  structure. 

In  1803,  the  Holmes  log  meeting-house  was 
erected  on  Indian  Short  Creek.  'Tn  the  immediate 
neighborhood  of  which,"  says  Rev.  John  ]\Ieek,  the 


iiS  OHIO  Mi'/r/fiuus.ir. 

]);isl(>r  at  this  lime,  "llicrr  followed  one  of  llie  most 
pow'M-fnl  revivals  of  Hie  work  of  (  io<l,  of  the  awaken- 
in-;  and  the  eonveision  of  sinners,  that  1  recollect  ever 
l(t  lia\e  witnessed." 

The  next  Methodist  meetin_q"-honsc  w\as  the  one 
erected  at  lioprwell.  Uev.  William  I.  h\'e,  in  speaking" 
of  his  _L;randfather,  sa\s:  "in  the  year  iSo^^  he  nnited 
with  a  nnniher  of  pioneer  Methodists  who  hatl  moved 
fiom  Marxland  and  \'irs;"inia  to  Clermonl  C'onnty — 
sneh  as  the  Sar^ents.  Pi^inans.  Prathers.  and  h\^es — 
in  (he  cMeclion  ^'>\  thr  third  Methodist  l^piscopal  chnrcli 
cdil'iee  in  the  Xoithwest  Territory.  It  was  named 
llopewell.  It  stood  one  \\\\\v  west  of  helieitw  It  was 
a  hewed  loi;-  hnildini;-.  (wo  sti^ries  hi<;h,  and  a  very 
lar_i;e  I'dil'iee  for  that    da\." 

l\c'\'.  John  Meek  says:  "At  the  dedication  of 
which  the  small  ("hnrch  in  that  part  of  the  wilder- 
nc^ss  was  hlessed  h\-  the  lahors  of  onr  heloved  Mc- 
Kendree,  of  precions  memor\ .  and  I'-rother  William 
r.nrke,  who  was  tluMi  pi-esidini;  elder  of  the  (  )hio  His- 
trict,  toi;e(her  with  T.rothers  Amos  and  Patterson. 
1  helieve  I'rother  Ihnkc  preached  from  J  Corinthians 
iii,  iS:  'l>nt  we  all  with  open  face,'  etc.;  and  T.rothcr 
McKendree  followed  with.  'Xow  the  Lord  is  that 
Spirit,  and  whei-c  the  Spirit  o\  (he  \  am\\  is,  there  is 
liberty' — 17th  verse.  The  anointing-  of  the  1  lolv 
Spirit  appeared  to  he  npon  them;  'the  jMnver  of  ( iod 
was  present  to  heal;'  the  slain  of  the  Lord  were  many; 
(he  cry  of  the  wonnded  and  the  shont  (A  them  that 
were  made  whole  'was  heard  afar  (Ai\  and,  blessed  he 
(Iod!  I  expect  (o  meet  some  in  heaven  that  were 
converted   to  Clod  at   that   meetini;.      I   will   here  oay, 


WILLIAM  McKKNDREE. 


I20  OHIO   METHODISM. 

those  were  tlie  happiest  days  of  my  Hfe — log-cabins 
to  preach  in,  puncheon  floors  to  sleep  on,  long  rides, 
cornbread  and  milk  to  eat,  a  constant  succession  of 
kind  friends  to  make  welcome,  and  the  love  of  God 
in  the  soul,  a  home  high  up  in  heaven  in  prospect, 
and  the  blessed  promise  of,  'Lo,  I  am  with  you  al- 
way,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world,'  gave  the  mind 
a  most  pleasing  variety,  and  caused  our  time  to  move 
on  most  agreeably." 

Ward's  meeting-house  was  erected  this  same  year. 
It  was  located  on  Duck  Creek,  Hamilton  County, 
near  Madisonville.  It  was  built,  as  were  most  of  the 
churches  of  this  day,  of  rough  beech-logs.  About 
this  time  a  log  meeting-house  was  also  erected  on 
Eagle  Creek,  in  Scioto  Circuit. 

One  of  the  first  meeting-houses  in  the  Western 
Reserve  was  erected  at  Wellington,  in  1830.  It  was 
a  central  point  in  the  extensive  Black  River  Circuit, 
which  was  bound  "on  the  north  by  Lake  Erie,  on  the 
south  by  Wayne  County,  on  the  east  by  Cuyahoga, 
and  on  the  west  by  the  Eire  Lands.  This  circuit 
included  about  one-third  of  the  territory  now  in  the 
North  Ohio  Conference,  and  was  at  this  day  in  the 
Portland  District,  which  extended  as  far  south  as 
Delaware."  The  meeting-house  was  "constructed  of 
round  logs,  and  was  some  thirty  feet  in  length,  twelve 
feet  wide,  and  about  eight  feet  high,  with  a  puncheon 
floor  and  clapboai:d  roof,  with  four  windows,  two  on 
each  side,  filled  with  oiled  white  paper." 

These  log  chapels  soon  began  to  be  erected  in 
most  Oi  the  scattered  settlements  of  the  West.  They 
served  more  than  a  religious  purpose.     They  became 


GROWTH  OF  METHODISM.  121 

the  rallying"  centers  of  the  social  and  religious  life  of 
the  surrounding  neighborhoods.  l^'eople  of  varied 
types  of  national  character  were  drawn  together  by 
their  social  and  religious  instincts.  Through  the  in- 
fluence of  religious  fervor,  the  heterogeneous  elements 
of  society  were,  to  a  large  degree,  blended  into  one 
living  organism.  The  patriotic  and  religious  pulse 
began  gradually  to  beat  harmoniously  until  the  com- 
mon hopes  and  purposes  of  these  diverse  people  and 
scattered  settlements  were  welded  into  a  common 
brotherhood.  Thus  the  work  of  the  early  pioneers  as 
character-builders  broadened  out  to  become  the 
builders  of  a  nation. 

In  1897,  there  were  two  thousand  two  hundred 
and  forty-seven  Methodist  Churches  in  Ohio,  having 
an  estimated  value  of  nine  million  six  thousand  four 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  or  an  average  value  of  more 
than  four  thousand  dollars.  Besides  there  were  six 
hundred  and  forty  parsonages,  valued  at  one  million 
two  hundred  and  eight  thousand  two  hundred  and 
seventy-five  dollars.  The  church-building  epochs  of 
Ohio  Methodism  have  been  quite  marked.  First,  the 
humble  sanctuaries  of  the  early  settlers,  built  of  hewn 
logs,  were  gradually  displaced  for  more  attractive 
frame  structures.  Many  of  these  in  turn  have  been 
superseded  by  more  convenient  and  imposing  church 
edifices  built  of  brick  or  stone.  The  last  epoch  began 
about  twenty-five  years  ago,  and  now  nearly  every 
county-seat  in  the  State  has  a  fine  Alethodist  church 
edifice  that  is  unparalleled  for  architectural  beauty 
and  attractive  church  appointments. 

The  triumphant  march  of  Methodism  is  seen  in 


122  OHIO  METHODISM. 

her  numerical  o;rowth.  At  the  opening  of  the  century 
Methodism  had  been  in  America  thirty-four  years,  and 
had  been  organized  as  a  Church  sixteen  years,  and 
had  sixty-four  thousand  communicants.  In  1897,  the 
entire  membership  of  the  Methodist  Churches  in  the 
United  States  aggregated  five  milhon  seven  hundred 
and  thirty-five  thousand  eight  hundred  and  ninety- 
eight.  At  the  beginning  of  the  century  the  Regular 
Baptists  had  one  hundred  thousand  communicants; 
the  Congregationalists  seventy-five  thousand;  Pres- 
byterians forty  thousand,  and  the  Episcopalians  eleven 
thousand  communicants.  The  Methodist  Church  has 
outgrown  them  all  in  point  of  numbers.  The  historian 
Schouler  says:  "]\Iore  practical  in  its  ordinances, 
better  organized  and  disciplined,  setting  rituals  at 
naught,  broad  in  doctrines  of  faith,  having  the  pious 
Asbury  for  a  leader,  and  Wesley's  blessing  resting 
upon  it,  the  Methodist  Church,  though  tardier  in  the 
start,  under  our  national  system,  was  swifter  in  the 
race;  pushing,  indeed,  so  zealously  among  the  pioneer 
settlers  in  pursuance  of  its  farsighted  policy,  as  to 
have  since  become  foremost  in  numbers  among  our 
religious  denominations." 

In  1798  the  entire  number  of  Methodist  preachers 
in  the  United  States  was  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven. 
Now  there  are  seven  Conferences  in  Ohio,  and  one 
Conference  alone  has  as  many  ministers. 

The  Western  Conference,  in  1800,  had  two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  ninety-five  members  and  four- 
teen preachers,  \\dien  Koblcr,  the  one  solitary  pil- 
grim, passed  over  the  brook,  hunting  up  the  lost  sheep 


GROWTH   OF  METHODISM.  1 23 

of  the  house  of  Israel,  in  1798,  he  could  find  only 
twenty-five  or  thirty  members  in  the  whole  country; 
but  by  the  close  of  the  year  he  reported  ninety-nine 
members.  In  1804,  the  Methodist  societies  had  grown 
to  number  twelve  hundred  and  fifteen.  A  steady 
advance  was  made,  and  by  the  year  1810  there  were 
three  districts,  twenty-one  circuits,  thirty-one  preach- 
ers, and  eight  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-one 
members  of  the  Methodist  Church  northwest  of  the 
Ohio  River. 

The  Ohio  Conference  was  organized  in  1812.  The 
first  year's  work  showed  a  membership  of  twenty- 
three  thousand.  The  entire  membership  of  Method- 
ism in  the  United  States  at  this  time  was  two  hundred 
and  fifteen  thousand. 

The  growth  of  Methodism  in  Ohio  by  decades  is 
herewith  given.  This  estimate  can  not  be  altogether 
accurate,  since  at  the  beginning  of  Methodism  there 
was  an  overlapping  of  territory  into  other  States:  but 
we  think  it  is  sufficient  to  give  some  idea  of  the  steady 
progress  of  the  Church  during  the  first  century  of  its 


history 

In 

1798      99  members  and 

I  preacher. 

In 

1800     321     "     " 

2  preachers 

In 

1804   1,654     "     " 

8 

In 

1810   8,781 

25 

In 

1813  23,000     "     " 

26 

In 

1823  36,372 

100 

In 

1833  51,460 

155 

In 

1843  107,062     '<     " 

341 

In 

1853  106,503 

559 

In 

i860  130,156     "     " 

735 

In 

1S70  137,353 

655 

In 

1S80  175,898 

748 

In 

1890  240,656     "     ** 

837 

In 

1S97  281,509 

1018 

124  (9///0   METHODISM. 

The  best  work  can  not  be  shown  in  tables  of  statis- 
tics. But  since  the  Christian  forces  elude  our  vision,  it 
is  necessary  to  give  facts  and  figures  in  order  that  the 
work  of  the  Church  may  be  brought  before  us  more 
vividly.  Dr.  Dorchester  says:  "No  mathematics  cer- 
tainly are  cunning  enough  fully  to  calculate  the  work 
of  Christianity,  and  sum  up  its  effects  as  it  goes 
through  the  world,  moderating  its  coldness,  calling 
forth  countless  forms  of  life,  activity  and  beauty,  puri- 
fying its  fountains,  and  filling  it  with  verdure  and 
fragrance  and  music.  And  yet  it  is  also  true  that  there 
are  no  phenomena  which  may  not  be  approximately 
enumerated,  and  the  more  distinct  and  positive  they 
are,  the  more  definitely  may  they  be  numbered  and 
aggregated.  .  .  .  Ecclesiastical  statistics,  like 
moral,  social,  commercial,  and  political  statistics,  have 
a  distinct  significance.  Their  importance  has  been 
enhanced  by  the  recent  studies  of  exact  science. 
.  .  .  Dif^cult  as  statistics  must  be — liable  to  the 
greatest  errors,  in  results,  by  the  smallest  errors  of 
fact  or  number — they  have  nevertheless  attained  the 
truest  proof  of  scientific  character,  namely,  that  the 
statisticians  can  predict.  Science  is  the  ascertainment 
of  laws;  the  knowledge  of  laws  enables  us  to  foretell 
results.  This  is  the  test  of  scientific  theory — the  dis- 
tinction of  truth  from  speculation." 

We  insert  here  a  table  to  exhibit  the  numerical 
strength  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Ohio 
for  1897.  This  table  can  be  studied  with  profit.  The 
figures  given  are  eloquent  with  the  promise  of  yet 
grander  results  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  welfare 
of  humanity. 


GROWTH   OF  METHODISM. 


125 


Probable 
Value  .. 


O   O   O   O  u^ 

\r^  uo  LT-j  i^  t^* 

Tj-  Cn  O  C/J_   C^ 

00  rC  rCco  ^ 

M  00    N    O    "^ 

fee- 


Paronsages 


Probable 
Value 

Churches .... 

Total  of 
all  ages 

Scholars 

Officers  and 
Teachers  . 

Schpols 

Total  Mem- 
bership  


00000 

O      LO  LT)  LO    O 

-    "*  O    «^  O 
O   f^  r^  t^  N 


«   « 


ro  ■"^  u-»  LO  CO 


r^  O   ci  00   ro 

o  ao  O  t^co 
O  t^vo   O   N 


«      -I     O    ON    Tf 

r~^  r^  i-n  loo 

rf  N    ^  x^  ro 


I  O  Ov  ro  ON  ON 
ON  O  ■*  "  - 
LT)  u->  w    rO  On 


LT)  '"O  O   t^  -^    I     On 
ro  -^  vrj  vn  CO       N 


Local 
Preachers 


ON  N    "-O  t^OO 

00    "^  O    COOO 


Full  Members. 


N   On  ■^  ^  On 

LOOO    l^  -"^  CO 

O    '^  CNOO    '^ 


Probationers . 


00  r-.  r^  Tfoo 

CO  O  ("O  ON  CO 
vO    r^  On  N    CO 


O 

■-SO 

.r    (U  -C    c3    O 

u  u  o  w  ;2. 


U      k4 


126 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


It  mav  be  a  matter  of  interest  to  insert  a  table  to 
exhibit  the  comparative  numerical  strength  of  eight 
leading  denominations  in  Ohio  for  1890. 


DENOMINATION'S. 


All  Baptists 

All  Catholics 

All  Congregational. 

All  Lutherans 

All  Methodists 

All  Presbyterians  ... 
All  United  Brethren 
All  Episcopal 


Organi- 

Church 

Seating 

zations. 

Edifi's. 

Capacity. 

846 

789 

229,015 

586 

515 

197,813 

247 

253 

83,029 

588 

573 

192,537 

2,798 

2,713 

818,940 

828 

849 

287,420 

995 

927 

272,215 

169 

186 

50,519 

Value 
of    Church 
Property. 


$2,798,928 
7,395,640 

2,044,525 
3,007,097 
9,600,820 
6,722,875 
1,436,810 
2,103,487 


Members. 


68,033 

336,114 
32,218 

39,569 

272,737 

103,607 

53.500 

17,711 


The  membership  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  Ohio  for  1897  exceeds  the  combined  nu- 
merical strength  of  live  leading  denominations,  in- 
cluding the  Baptists,  Congregationalists,  Episcopa- 
lians, Presbyterians,  and  United  Brethren.  One 
person  in  every  fifteen  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  State 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The 
probable  number  of  members  and  adherents  in  the 
Methodist  Church  in  Ohio  will  approach  one  million 
of  the  population. 

Methodism  is  in  the  front  line  of  Sunday-school 
work.  The  statistics  of  the  Sunday-schools  of  the 
State  of  Ohio  for  the  year  ending  December  31,  1896, 
show  that  there  were  seven  thousand  four  hundred 
and  sixty-eight  schools,  having  six  hundred  and 
ninety-four  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-six 
scholars,  and  manned  with  sixty-two  thousand  and 
seventy-eight  teachers.    Of  this  number  the  Methodist 


GROWTH   OF  METHODISM.  1 27 

Episcopal  Cluirch  liad  two  thousand  and  thirty-nine 
schools  and  two  hundred  and  thirty-four  thousand 
three  hundred  and  tw'enty-four  scholars  enrolled,  or 
about  one-third  of  the  Sunday-schools  and  scholars 
of  the  State.  What  a  wonderful  power  is  lodged  in 
the  hands  of  one  denomination! 

The  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Ohio  are,  as  a  class,  fairly  liberal  givers.  They 
respond  generously  to  all  local  and  general  benevolent 
work  of  the  Church.  In  1897  the  Church  contributed 
seven  hundred  and  forty  eight  thousand  five  hundred 
and  eighty-one  dollars  to  the  support  of  the  pastors, 
besides  giving  one  hundred  and  sixty-three  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  thirty  dollars  for  Home  and  For- 
eign Missions.  This,  in  the  aggregate,  looks  like  a 
large  amount;  but  wdien  distributed  throughout  the 
entire  membership,  requires  only  about  three  dollars 
annually  from  each  member  of  the  Church  to  sup- 
port the  pastor,  and  sixty  cents  for  missions.  The 
average  annual  salary  of  the  Methodist  preachers  in 
Ohio  is  a  trifle  above  seven  hundred  dollars. 

The  Methodist  Church  of  Ohio  has  been  l)lessed 
wnth  an  era  of  revival,  wdiich  still  continues;  and  an 
era  of  education,  which  wdll  ahvays  retain  its  hold  on 
the  intelligence  and  confidence  of  the  people.  The 
Methodist  Church  is  barely  entering  on  an  era  of 
beneficence.  Here  is  a  wide-open  door  for  the  Church 
to  enter  and  secure  marvelous  results  in  extending 
and  strengthening  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  on  earth. 

We  herewith  eive  a  table  to  exhibit  the  amount 


128 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


of  money  given   for  the  support  of  pastors  and  mis- 
sions for  the  year  1897: 


1897. 


CONFERENCES. 


wg; 


Cincinnati 

Central  Ohio 
Ohio 

East  Ohio.... 
North  Ohio., 


$149,205   I 
137,516  i 
148,736  I 
201,338 
111,786  I 


519,558 

2L,2I5 
18,254 
30,849 
12,376 


748,581     102,252 


7,336 

4,793 
9,128 
8,026 
5,741 


°  §3 
III 


7,888 
4,979 
2,975 
6,864 

3,748 


35,024  I  26,454 


This  numerical  growth  and  preponderance  of 
members  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  the 
State  is  a  source  of  gratification  to  its  followers.  The 
aggressive  impulse  of  the  Church  indicates  that  she 
possesses  a  powerful  latent  force.  No  Methodist, 
however,  should  permit  the  remarkable  figures  given 
to  blind  him  to  the  deeper  and  grander  forces  which 
Christianity  represents.  The  progress  and  results  al- 
ready achieved  bring  a  corresponding  responsibility 
to  put  forth  the  whole  moral  and  spiritual  power  of 
the  Church  for  the  wider  extension  of  the  gospel  and 
the  building  up  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Surely  it  is  a  blessed  privilege  to  be  a  member  of 
the  Church  and  a  sharer  in  the  great  religious  move- 
ments designed  to  advance  Christ's  kingdom.  The 
achievements  of  the  past  should  accelerate  the  growth 
of  the  Church  through  succeeding  decades,  and  hasten 
the  triumph  of  the  gospel. 


Chapter   V. 


129 


(v^^IIE  great  characteristic  of  Christianity,  and  the  proof  of  its 
^  divinity,  is  that  it  has  been  tlie  main  source  of  the  moral  de- 
velopment of  Europe,  and  that  it  has  discharged  this  office,  not  so 
much  by  the  inculcation  of  a  system  of  ethics,  however  pure,  as  by 
the  assimilating  and  attractive  influence  of  a  perfect  ideal.  The 
moral  progress  of  mankind  can  never  cease  to  be  distinctively  and 
intensely  Christian,  as  long  as  it  consists  of  a  gradual  approximation 
to  the  character  of  the  Christian  Founder.  There  is,  indeed,  noth- 
ing more  wonderful  in  the  history  of  the  human  race  than  the  way 
in  which  that  ideal  has  traversed  the  lapse  of  ages,  acquiring  new 
strength  and  beauty  with  each  advance  of  civilization,  and  infusing 
its  beneficial  influence  into  every  sphere  of  thought  and  action." — 
Lecky. 


"i^HE  depths  of  Divine  grace  are  clearly  seen  in  allowing  those 
^^  mighty  men  (Methodists)  to  become  what  they  have  become 
in  England  and  elsewhere — a  great  stimulant  force  in  Christendom 
What  denomination  can  show  greater  exploits,  more  versatile  serv- 
ice, and  larger  conquests?" — Adams. 


"^i  AM  no  herald  to  inquire  of  men's  pedigrees:   it  sufficeth  me  if 
'^  I  know  their  virtues.     There  is  no  service  like  his  that  serves 
because  he  loves." — Sir  Philip  Sidney. 

**C^ND  when  recording  History  displays 
*^   Feats  of  renown,  though  wrought  i:.  ancient  days ; 
Tells  of  a  few  stout  hearts  that  fought  and  died, 
Where  duty  placed  them,  at  their  country's  side; 
The  man  that  is  not  moved  with  what  he  reads, — 
That  takes  not  fire  at  their  heroic  deeds, — 
Unworthy  of  the  blessings  of  the  brave. 
Is  base  in  kind,  and  born  to  be  a  slave." — Cowpe?-, 
130 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  ag-gressive  power  of  the  Church  is  largely 
due  to  the  early  pioneer  preachers.  Their  rug- 
gedness  of  character,  fervent  spirit,  and  uncompromis- 
ing principles  made  them  akin  to  the  prophets  of  old. 
They  were  men  of  rare  natural  endowments.  Few 
of  them  had  the  advantages  of  scholastic  training,  but 
they  were  schooled  in  the  practical  affairs  of  life. 
They  sprang  from  and  came  in  contact  with  the  com- 
mon people.  Their  habits,  language,  and  sympathies 
were  on  a  level  with  the  common  people,  and  their 
preaching  awakened  spiritual  desires  and  a  quick  re- 
sponse in  the  most  impervious  characters.  They  were 
usually  men  of  devout  spirit  and  a  singularly  effective 
manner.  They  held  in  view  the  practical  aim  of 
reaching  the  people,  and  leading  them  to  accept 
Christ.  They  presented  the  Divine  message  of  light 
and  love  to  the  sinful  in  such  a  manner  as  to  excite 
and  sustain  appropriate  emotions,  and  prompt  the 
hearers  to  immediate  action.  They  felt  inspired  to 
express  the  Divine  message,  and  their  sermons  were 
clear,  strong,  and  clothed  in  plain  language.  The 
secret  of  their  power  was  in  the  message.  Search 
through  their  sermons,  and  you  will  find  that  the 
gospel  of  Christ  was  the  rich  vein  of  gold-bearing 
quartz  underlying  the  whole  range  of  their  preaching. 
They  declared  in  ringing  and  splendid  eloquence  the 
gospel,  and  their  words  were  often  so  weighty  as  to 
cut  Hke  blades  of  steel. 

131 


132  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Again,  their  spiritual  fervency  made  them  a  power. 
They  possessed  the  earnestness  of  profound  convic- 
tions, and  spoke  out  of  a  heart  powerfully  moved  by 
the  Holy  Spirit.  The  marks  of  their  heavenly  call 
were  manifest,  notwithstanding-  their  peculiar  and 
singular  endowments.  Their  fervor  made  them  free 
and  forcible.  They  were  unfettered  by  manuscript  or 
studied  efforts.  They  spoke  earnestly  and  tenderly 
of  a  change  in  their  own  hearts  through  the  infinite 
love  and  atoning  work  of  Christ,  and  amazing  results 
followed^  The  spontaneous  heartiness  with  which 
they  gave  themselves  to  the  work  lifted  them  above 
all  rhetorical  restrictions,  and  they  were  carried  for- 
ward by  the  glow  and  warmth  of  a  vital  energy  which 
was  more  than  human.  Multitudes  of  those  unaccus- 
tomed to  worship  were  led  to  become  faithful  disciples 
through  their  irresistible  pleadings  and  spiritual 
power.  No  wonder  they  were  jubilant  and  confident 
with  the  spiritual  chivalry  of  the  apostles. 

History  has  been  enriched  through  the  auto- 
biographic literature  of  several  noble  pioneer  preach- 
ers. Some  of  these  men  led  eventful  lives.  The  rec- 
ord of  their  marvelous  deeds  possesses  the  glitter  of 
romance,  and  compares  favorably  with  anything  re- 
lated in  the  annals  of  the  Christian  Church.  We  will 
sketch  briefly  the  lives  of  a  few  of  these  historical 
characters  in  order  that  we  may  obtain  a  faint  idea 
of  their  heroic  valor,  and  catch  in  some  measure  their 
spirit,  and  go  forth  anew  with  consecrated  energies 
into  the  Master's  work. 

Rev.  John  Kobler  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1768. 
His   pious   parents   gave   him   a   thorough   religious 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 33 

trainin.c:,  and  did  all  they  could  to  help  mold  his 
character,  and  form  habits  based  on  Christian  prin- 
ciples. Under  these  genial  and  godly  influences  he 
experienced  the  joys  of  salvation,  and  made  an  open 
profession  of  religion.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he 
obeyed  the  Divine  call,  and  entered  the  itinerant  min- 
istry. He  left  home  and  friends  for  the  Northwest  Ter- 
ritory to  endure  the  hardships  and  privations  of  a 
pioneer  preacher.  It  was  in  1798  that  Bishop  Asbury 
appointed  him  to  the  work  in  Ohio,  where  he  formed 
the  Ivliami  Circuit.  He  was  the  first  regularly  ap- 
pointed Methodist  preacher  in  the  Northwest  Ter- 
ritory. 

Let  us  bear  in  mind  that  at  this  time  Ohio  was 
mostly  a  dense  and  uncultivated  forest.  The  few  in- 
habitants were  settled  in  small  neighborhoods,  and 
occupied  log-cabins.  There  w^ere  no  Church  organi- 
zations, no  ]\Iethodist  meeting-houses,  and  no  roads 
or  facilities  for  travel.  The  settlements  were  con- 
nected by  means  of  indistinct  paths,  or  by  following 
blazed  trees  through  the  forests.  The  preaching  was 
usually  in  a  log-cabin,  but  the  fervor  of  soul  and  spir- 
itual unction  manifested  made  of  such  a  place  none 
other  than  a  house  of  God  and  the  gate  of  heaven. 
John  Kobler  labored  earnestly  and  zealously  for  the 
upbuilding  of  the  Church;  but  such  were  the  hard- 
ships, toil,  and  necessary  exposures  of  his  itinerant 
life  that  his  naturally  robust  constitution  yielded  to 
disease,  and  he  w^as  induced  to  locate  in  1809. 

"He  is  described  as  tall  and  well-proportioned; 
his  hair  black  and  long,  extending  over  the  cape  of 
his  coat;  his  dress  neat,  with  a  straight-breasted  coat, 


134  OHIO   METHODISM. 

and  in  every  respect  such  as  became  a  Methodist 
preacher  in  that  day.  He  had  a  most  impressive 
countenance.  It  showed  no  ordinary  intellectual  de- 
velopment, united  with  sweetness  of  disposition,  un- 
conquerable firmness,  and  uncommon  devotion.  His 
manner  was  very  deliberate  at  the  commencement  of 
his  discourse,  but  as  he  advanced  he  became  more 
animated,  and  his  words  more  powerful." 

His  ministerial  career  covered  a  period  of  eighteen 
years.  His  dignified  bearing,  Christ-like  spirit,  and 
zealous  efforts  for  the  salvation  of  men  won  for  him 
many  friends,  and  enabled  him  to  help  plant  Method- 
ism in  Ohio  on  a  strong  and  permanent  foundation. 

When  this  joyful  old  patriarch  had  lived  three- 
quarters  of  a  century,  he  said,  on  his  dying-bed:  "I 
have  dug  deep,  and  brought  all  the  evidence  to  bear, 
and  I  find  I  have  a  strong  confidence,  wdiich  nothing 
can  shake;  but  all  is  through  the  infinite  merits  of 
my  Lord  and  Savior.  I  wish  it  to  be  known  to  all  that 
the  principles  which  I  have  believed,  and  taught,  and 
practiced  in  life,  I  cling  to  in  death,  and  find  they 
sustain  me.  I  have  tried  all  my  life  to  make  my  min- 
istry and  life  consistent."  About  the  time  his  spirit 
was  leaving  his  body,  he  prayed  these  words:  "Come, 
Lord  Jesus;  come  in  power,  come  quickly!"  Thus 
ended  a  noble  life  and  an  enviable  career. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Smith,  made  venerable  to  the 
Church  by  his  long  and  useful  life,  was  born  at  Fred- 
erick City,  Maryland,  in  1769.  He  joined  the  Meth- 
odist Church  when  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and  en- 
tered the  itinerancy  in  1793.  He  began  his  ministerial 
career  on  Berkeley  Circuit,  Virginia.     The  following 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 35 

year  he  was  appointed  to  the  West,  where  he  braved 
the  frontier  trials,  and  became  one  of  the  chief  found- 
ers of  Ohio  Methodism.  He  w^as  a  successful  pioneer 
of  the  Church,  having  traveled  throughout  Kentucky, 
and  preached  for  some  tijne  in  Ohio.     He  was  ap- 


HENRY  SMITH. 

pointed  to  the  work  in  Ohio  in  1799,  and  joyfully 
shared  the  trials  and  triumphs  of  the  itinerancy.  He 
formed  the  Scioto  Circuit,  and  labored  earnestly  to 
organize  societies  in  all  the  new  settlements.  He  was 
required  to  preach  twenty  sermons  every  three  weeks. 


136  OHIO   METHODISM. 

The  first  quarterly-meeting  of  the  Scioto  Circuit 
was  held  in  March,  1800.  In  his  memoirs  he  says: 
"We  had  no  elder  to  administer  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper;  but  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
deigned  to  be  with  us,  and  blessed  us  indeed.  Many 
tears  were  shed,  and  some  thought  they  never  were 
at  such  a  meeting  before.  We  had  twelve  classes,  and 
eight  or  nine  local  preachers,  and  some  exhorters. 
I  was  reappointed  to  the  circuit,  and  returned  in  June, 
1800.  No  preacher  was  sent  to  the  Miami  Circuit  that 
year,  so  I  was  alone  in  the  wilderness,  as  it  was  then, 
for  about  eighteen  months,  and  withal  I  was  much 
afflicted,  and  not  able  to  do  much.  Our  first  quarterly- 
meeting  (for  Scioto  Circuit)  for  this  year  began  at 
Aloore's  meeting-house,  on  Scioto  Brush  Creek,  on  the 
27th  of  September.  I  believe  this  was  the  first  Meth- 
odist meeting-house  that  was  built  on  that  side  of  the 
Ohio  River.  We  had  no  presiding  elder  present;  but 
the  Lord  was  with  us,  of  a  truth,  and  condescended 
to  manifest  himself  to  us  in  the  house  that  we  had 
built  for  his  worship.  Our  next  quarterly-meeting 
was  at  Pee-pee  on  the  27th  and  28th  of  December, 
and  the  Lord  made  it  plain  to  us  that  he  does  not 
despise  the  day  of  small  things,  for  he  deigned  to 
meet  with  us  in  our  cabin  on  the  banks  of  the  Scioto, 
and  we  had  a  very  refreshing  season  indeed;  yea,  in 
the  presence  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  and  the 
enjoyment  of  his  love,  we  were  as  happy  as  if  we 
sat  among  the  thousands  of  Israel  in  some  magnificent 
building.  Miami  Circuit  was  then  in  a  woeful  sit- 
uation, and  so  continued  until  the  autumn  of  1802, 
when    Elisha    Bowman   was    sent    there.      That   year 


PIONEER  PREACHERS.  1 37 

things  took  a  favoral^lc  turn,  and  a  great  and  glorious 
change  was  soon  visible.  I  dragged  on  through  great 
difficulties  and  much  affliction,  and  ended  my  labors 
at  the  quarterly-meeting  on  the  Scioto  Brush  Creek 
on  the  29th  and  30th  of  August,  1801,  and  returned  to 
Kentucky  on  the  first  day  of  September,  following, 
having  spent  nearly  two  years  in  the  territory  north- 
west of  the  Ohio." 

He  organized  the  first  Alethodist  Church  in  Chil- 
licothe  July  7,  1800^  with  eighteen  members.  Wher- 
ever he  preached  he  manifested  the  most  ardent  de- 
votion to  the  welfare  of  the  people.  He  says:  "I 
never  labored  among  a  people  that  I  did  not  love,  and 
take  a  deep  interest  in  their  welfare;  generally,  the 
last  I  was  with  I  loved  the  most."  He  served  the 
Church  forty-two  years;  "thirty-two  years,"  he  says, 
*^in  a  single  life,  for  I  had  not  the  heart  to  subject  a 
wife  to  the  privations,  poverty,  and  hardships  of  those 
days." 

When  this  genial  veteran  had  reached  the  age  of 
ninety-four  years,  he  wrote  from  "Pilgrim's  Rest," 
near  Baltimore:  "Thank  God,  although  my  means  are 
limited,  I  have  not  been  in  real  want  of  any  necessary 
or  good  thing.  I  am  often  sorrowful,  yet  can  always 
rejoice.  I  am  striving  by  grace  to  be  a  contented 
and  happy  old  man,  waiting  patiently  in  my  'Pilgrim's 
Rest'  till  i  shall  hear  the  call,  'Come  up  to  that  higher 
rest  prepared  for  all  God's  weary  pilgrims.'  " 

Rev.  John  Collins  was  born  of  Quaker  parentage 
in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  in  1769.  At  an  early  age 
he  was  licensed"  as  a  local  preacher.  He  moved  to 
Clermont  County,  Ohio,  in  1803,  and  settled  on  the 


138  OHIO   METHODISM. 

East  Fork  of  the  Little  Miami,  and  built  a  cabin.  He 
labored  with  his  own  hands  during^  the  week,  and,  as 
opportunity  presented  itself,  preached  on  the  Sabbath. 
In  the  capacity  of  a  local  preacher  he  delivered  the 
first   sermon   in   Cincinnati,   in    1804,    under   the   fol- 


JOHN  COLLINS. 

lowing  circumstances.  He  had  gone  to  Cincinnati  to 
purchase  salt.  "Being  in  the  store  of  Mr.  Carter,  he 
asked  that  gentleman  if  there  were  any  Methodists  in 
the  place.  To  this  the  storekeeper  responded,  *Yes, 
sir;  I  am  a  Methodist.'    The  local  preacher  was  taken 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 39 

by  surprise  at  the  joyful  iutelligence,  aucl,  throwiug 
his  arms  around  his  neck,  he  wept.  He  then  asked 
him  if  there  were  any  more  ^lethodists  in  the  place. 
The  response  to  this  was  equally  full  of  joyous  intel- 
ligence: '  O  yes,  brother;  there  are  several.'  This 
caused  the  heart  of  the  sympathetic  Collins  to  leap  for 
joy.  'O,'  said  the  zealous  young  preacher,  'that  I 
could  have  them  all  together,  that  I  might  open  to 
them  my  heart!'  Tn  this  you  will  be  gratified,  my 
brother,  as  I  will  open  my  house,  and  call  together 
the  people  if  you  will  preach.'  "  Some  twelve  persons 
were  gathered  into  the  upper  room  of  Brother  Carter's 
house,  and  Brother  Collins  preached  and  formed  a 
small  class,  which  became  the  nucleus  of  the  Church 
of  Cincinnati.  He  labored  four  years  on  the  farm, 
when,  in  1807,  he  was  admitted  into  the  traveling  con- 
nection of  the  Western  Conference,  and  was  appointed 
to  the  Miami  Circuit.  His  preaching  was  attended 
with  the  demonstration  and  power  of  the  Spirit,  and 
great  prosperity  followed  his  labors.  He  organized 
the  first  class  in  Cincinnati,  Columbia,  Hillsboro, 
Dayton,  and  other  places.  John  ]\IcLean,  once  Judge 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  was  one 
of  the  fruits  of  his  ministry.  He  was  a  preacher  of 
more  than  ordinary  talent.  He  was  a  man  above  the 
medium  height,  with  a  large  head,  a  keen  and  pen- 
etrating eve,  and  quick  and  graceful  motion. 

His  clear,  musical  voice,  prepossessing  man- 
ners, sweet  and  gentle  spirit,  and  touching  pathos, 
enabled  him  to  sway  vast  audiences  with  the  irresist- 
ible power  of  his  eloquence.  Hundreds  of  people 
were    awakened    and    converted    under   his    ministry. 


140 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


During  his  itinerant  life  he  did  not  hesitate  to  endure 
dangers  and  hardships  in  order  to  make  full  proof  of 
his  ministry.  In  1845  he  died  a  blessed  death,  his 
last  words  being,  "Happy!  happy!  happy!" 

One  of  the  chief  heroes  of  Western   Methodism 


WILLIAM   BURKE. 

was  William  Burke,  a  native  of  Virginia.  Ili^ 
education  was  limited,  but  he  availed  himself  of  the 
best  English  education  given  at  the  time.  He  was 
converted  in  1790,  when  twenty  years  of  age,  and  the 
following  year  was  licensed  to  preach. 

His  first  appointment  was  on  the  New  River  Cir- 


PIONEER  PREACHERS.  I4I 

ciiit,  on  the  headwaters  of  tlie  Kanawha  River.  This 
circuit  was  five  hundred  miles  in  extent.  He  suffered 
and  achieved  more  for  the  Christian  cause  than  any 
man  of  his  day.  His  early  experiences  in  the  ministry 
are  very  interesting.  He  traveled  extensively,  and 
would  sometimes  g'o  one  hundred  miles  without  find- 
ing a  single  house.  His  circuits  led  him  to  cross 
mountains,  ford  rivers,  camp  all  night  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and  encounter  the  perils  of  Indian  warfare, 
"preaching  in  forts  and  cabins,  sleeping  on  straw,  bear 
and  buffalo  skins,  living  on  bearmeat,  venison,  and 
wild  turkey."  The  account  of  his  labors,  sufferings, 
and  extreme  poverty  shows  that  he  experienced  the 
hardest  service  in  his  itinerant  life.  While  traveling 
the  Salt  River  Circuit,  in  1794,  he  writes:  'T  was 
reduced  to  the  last  pinch.  My  clothes  were  nearly 
all  gone.  I  had  patch  upon  patch,  and  I  received  only 
money  sufficient  to  buy  a  waistcoat,  and  not  enough 
of  that  to  pay  for  the  making."  In  1796  he  had  mar- 
ried Rachel  Cooper,  of  Summer  County,  Tennessee. 
He  preached  for  years  in  North  Carolina,  Virginia, 
Kentucky,  and  Tennessee,  when  the  allowance  for  him- 
self and  wife  did  not  exceed  sixty-four  dollars  a  year. 
In  his  autobiography  he  tells  us  how  he  was  obliged 
to  practice  the  most  rigid  economy. 

''During  this  year  I  had  to  pay  nearly  a  hundred 
dollars  for  a  horse,  and  I  found  it  hard  to  raise  the 
money,  and  support  myself,  and  pay  the  board  of  my 
wife;  how^ever,  I  economized  in  every  way.  I  bor- 
rowed a  blanket,  and  wore  it  instead  of  a  great-coat 
through  the  winter,  and  by  that  means  paid  my  debts. 
Upon  the  whole,  I  spent  this  year  very  agreeably,  and 


142  OHIO  METHODISM. 

with  some  success.  I  left  the  circuit  in  the  spring  of 
1799  for  Conference  in  Kentucky,  at  Bethel  Academy. 
This  year  I  received  my  appointment  on  Danville  Cir- 
cuit for  the  second  time,  having  been  absent  for  seven 
years.  Part  of  this  year  I  had  Henry  Smith  for  my 
colleague,  who,  I  believe,  is  yet  living  in  Maryland. 
I  had  many  difhculties  to  contend  with,  being  the  first 
married  preacher  that  had  ever  attempted  to  travel 
with  what  the  people  and  preachers  called  the  incum- 
brance of  a  wife;  and  everything  was  thrown  in  my 
way  to  discourage  me.  The  presiding  elder  thought 
I  had  better  locate;  for,  he  said,  the  people  would 
not  support  a  married  man.  But  I  determined  to 
hold  on  my  way,  and  my  wife  encouraged  me.  She 
wrought  with  her  own  hands,  and  paid  her  board,  and 
clothed  herself;  and  I  divided  equally  with  my  col- 
league, and  by  this  means  kept  everything  quiet." 

In  1802  he  preached  on  the  Limestone  Circuit. 
He  speaks  thus  of  his  experience:  "When  I  entered 
upon  my  circuit,  I  found  that,  to  a  very  great  extent, 
the  people  were  prejudiced  against  a  married  preacher, 
and  I  could  find  no  house  open  at  which  I  could  board 
my  wife,  either  for  love  or  money.  In  this  state  of 
afTairs  I  was  brought  to  a  stand.  I  had  some  little 
money,  and  found  a  few  friends;  and  in  those  days 
I  considered  myself  equal  to  any  emergency,  and  im- 
mediately set  about  cutting  logs  for  a  cabin,  and  a  few 
friends  assisted  me  in  getting  them  together,  and  I 
purchased  some  plank  and  brick,  and  in  the  course 
of  a  few  weeks  had  a  snug  little  room  fitted  up  adjoin- 
ing Brother  L.  Fitch's,  about  three  miles  from  Flem- 
ingsburg.     During  the  time  I  was  building  my  cabin, 


PIONEER  PREACHERS.  1 43 

I  attended  my  Sunday  appointments,  and  through  the 
week  attended  to  my  work  and  collecting  materials  to 
fit  out  my  cabin;  and  having  accomplished  that  busi- 
ness, I  entered  regularly  upon  my  work." 

In  the  fall  of  1803,  he  was  appointed  by  Bishop 
Asbury  as  the  first  presiding  elder  to  the  Northwest 
Territory  to  form  the  Ohio  District.  Here  he  labored 
acceptably  two  years,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the 
Kentucky  District.  "In  181 1,"  he  says,  "I  was  ap- 
pointed to  Cincinnati  Station,  it  being  the  first  station 
in  the  State  of  Ohio.  I  organized  the  station,  and 
many  of  the  rules  and  regulations  that  I  established 
are  still  in  use.  We  had  but  one  church  in  the  city, 
and  it  went  under  the  name  of  the  Stone  Church.  I 
preached  three  times  every  Sunday,  and  on  Wednes- 
day night;  and  while  stationed  in  that  house  my  voice 
failed  me.  The  Methodists  being  too  poor  to  buy  a 
stove  to  warm  the  house  in  winter,  and  on  Sunday 
morning  it  being  generally  crowded,  their  breath 
would  condense  on  the  walls,  and  the  water  would  run 
down  and  across  the  floor.  The  next  Conference  I 
did  not  attend,  but  was  appointed  supernumerary  on 
the  Cincinnati  Circuit.  I  was  not  able  to  do  much, 
but  to  give  advice  in  certain  cases.  This  year  I  closed 
my  itinerancy,  and  sold  my  horse,  bridle,  saddlebags 
and  saddle,  and  gathered  up  the  fragments,  and  the 
fortune  that  I  had  made  from  twenty-six  years'  labor 
amounted  to  three  hundred  dollars." 

After  he  retired  from  the  effective  work  of  the  min- 
istry, "he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  coimty,  and 
afterwards  postmaster  of  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  and 
held  the  latter  office  twenty-eight  years  under  sue- 


144  OHIO  METHODISM. 

cessive  Administrations.  He  died  in  peace  in  the  year 
1855,  when  he  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
five  years. 

Rev.  Shadrach  Bostwick  'Vas  a  glorious  man," 
born  in  Maryland,  in  1769,  and  joined  the  itinerancy 
in  1 791.  He  preached  in  several  Eastern  States;  in 
1798  was  made  presiding  elder  of  a  district  in  the 
New  England  Conference.  In  1803  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Baltimore  Conference,  and  appointed 
missionary  to  Deerfield,  Ohio.  He  was  the  first  Meth- 
odist preacher  sent  to  the  Western  Reserve,  and 
formed  the  Deerfield  Circuit,  the  first  organized  in 
Eastern  Ohio.  He  had  obtained  a  good  knowledge 
of  medicine,  and  entered  upon  its  practice.  He 
preached  two  years  at  Deerfield,  and  found  time  to 
penetrate  the  forests  into  other  towns,  and  form  so- 
cieties, and  preach  the  gospel.  This  he  did  in  Youngs- 
town,  Hudson,  and  other  towns.  He  was  deservedly 
popular,  both  as  a  preacher  and  a  physician,  and 
rendered  efficient  service  to  the  Church.  "He  was  a 
remarkable  preacher,  famous  through  all  the  extensive 
regions  of  his  labors  for  the  intellectual  and  evangelical 
power  of  his  sermons.  His  talents  would  have  se- 
cured him  eminence  in  any  department  of  public  life. 
His  discourses  were  systematic,  profound,  luminous, 
and  frequently  overpowering;  his  piety  deep  and  pure; 
his  manners  dignified  and  cordial." 

After  1805  he  located,  on  account  of  domestic  ne- 
cessity, but  continued  to  serve  the  Church  in  a  local 
capacity.  He  traveled  extensively,  and  preached  ac- 
ceptably. This  zealous  and  devoted  minister  died  in 
Canfield  in  1837. 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 45 

Henry  Shewel,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  a  local 
preacher,  was  one  of  the  apostles  of  Methodism  in 
Eastern  Ohio.  He  penetrated  the  unbroken  wilder- 
ness, and  settled  in  Deerfield,  Portage  County,  as 
early  as  1802.  He  soon  formed  a  few  Methodist  fam- 
ilies into  a  small  society,  and  became  their  spiritual 
guide.  His  education  was  limited,  but  his  mind  was 
well  stored  with  a  knowledge  of  the  Bible.  "Enjoy- 
ing a  deep  and  rich  experience  himself,  and  possess- 
ing an  ardent  temperament,  with  almost  unbounded 
zeal,  attended  with  much  divine  emotion,  enabled  him, 
when  dwelling  upon  this  subject  especially,  to  produce 
a  most  thrilling  effect  upon  his  congregations."  He 
was  a  real  pioneer  in  carrying  the  gospel  into  the  sur- 
rounding neighborhood;  he  would  toil  with  his  hands 
during  the  week,  and  on  Sabbath  he  started  on  foot 
to  some  neighboring  settlement  to  preach  and  form 
classes  or  organize   Churches. 

Dr.  Edward  Tilifin,  the  first  governor  of  Ohio,  was 
a  preacher  of  no  ordinary  ability.  He  was  born  in 
England,  in  1766.  At  an  early  age  he  studied  medi- 
cine, and  emigrated  to  Virginia.  When  twenty-four 
years  of  age,  he  went  to  hear  Thomas  Scott  preach, 
and  was  awakened,  converted,  and  joined  the  Church. 
He  soon  began  to  preach,  and  his  ministerial  labors 
were  greatly  blessed.  He  was  ordained  a  local  deacon 
in  1792.  He  removed  to  Chillicothe  in  1796,  and  con- 
tinued to  practice  medicine  in  the  surrounding  coun- 
try. He  also  found  time  to  preach  regularly  on 
Sabbaths  at  Anthony  Davenport's,  twelve  miles  north 
of  Chillicothe,  where  he  organized  a  society  before 
any  traveling  preacher  visited  that  part  of  the  country. 


146 


OHIO   METHODISM. 


He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Territorial  Legis- 
lature in  1799,  and  three  years  later  was  elected  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Convention  which  adopted  the  first 
Constitution  and  formed  Ohio  into  a  State  Govern- 
ment.   The  next  year  he  was  elected  the  first  governor 


EDWARD  TIFFIN. 

of  Ohio,  and,  after  serving  two  years,  he  was  re-elected 
for  a  second  term.  He  was  chosen  senator  to  Con- 
gress in  1807.  His  wife  died  the  following  year,  and 
this  domestic  misfortune  led  him,  in  1809,  to  resign 
his  seat  in  the  Senate,  and  retire  to  private  life.  He 
was  again  chosen  to  be  a  member  of  the  Legislature 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 47 

and  a  speaker  of  that  body  for  two  sessions.  He  was 
chosen  in  1812  by  the  T^resident  and  Senate  as  com- 
missioner of  the  General  Land-office.  The  following 
year  he  removed,  with  his  family,  to  Wasliington,  but 
in  1814,  at  his  own  request,  he  returned  to  Chillicothe, 
to  fill  the  appointment  of  surveyor-general  of  public 
lands.    This  office  he  held  fifteen  years. 

During  the  last  four  or  five  years  of  his  life  most 
of  his  time  was  spent  in  l)ed,  suffering  from  nervous 
disease.  He  died  in  1829,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of 
his  age.  Dr.  Tiffin  stood  five  feet  six  inches  tall,  and 
was  active  and  quick  of  movement.  He  possessed  a 
buoyant  spirit,  an  expressive  countenance,  pleasing 
manners,  firm  and  independent  convictions,  and  an 
intense  love  to  help  the  poor  and  needy.  He  was  like- 
wise methodical  in  all  he  did,  and  always  spoke  with 
clearness  and  force.  "His  discourses  were  delivered 
with  great  animation,  and  with  eloquence  and  power; 
and  his  appeals  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  his 
hearers  were  pointed,  forcible,  and  efTfective.  In  the 
country  around  Chillicothe,  where  the  doctor  had  so 
often  preached,  he  was  deservedly  very  popular,  and 
his  labors  in  the  i)ulpit  much  sought  after;  and  at  quar- 
terly and  camp  meetings  he  was  always  assigned  at 
least  one  of  the  chief  appointments  on  the  Sabbath. 
To  the  active  labors  and  influence  of  Dr.  Tiffin  the 
Church  is  more  indebted  than  to  any  other  man  for 
the  introduction  and  establishment  of  ^Methodism  in 
Chillicothe  and  the  surrounding  country." 

Philip  Gatch,  called  "the  Prince  of  Zion,"  was  a 
man  of  remarkable  courage  and  power.  He  was  born 
near  Georgetown,  Md.,  in  1751,  and  was  one  of  the  first 


148  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Methodist  preaclicrs  in  America.  From  1775  to  1784 
he  traveled  extensive  circuits  in  V^irginia.  He  suffered 
many  persecutions  during  his  early  itinerancy.  An 
incident  will  reveal  his  courageous  Christian  spirit. 
On  one  occasion,  while  traveling  the  Frederick  Cir- 
cuit, he  was  riding  along  with  some  friends  to  his 
appointment.  On  the  way  he  was  met  by  a  mob, 
who  proceeded  to  tar  him.  Two  men  seized  the  bridle 
of  his  horse  w'hile  his  assailants  did  the  work.  "The 
uproar,"  he  writes,  "now^  became  very  great,  some 
sw^earing,  and  some  crying.  My  company  was  anxious 
to  fight  my  way  through.  The  women  were  especially 
resolute;  they  dealt  out  their  denunciations  against 
the  mob  in  unmeasured  terms.  With  much  persuasion 
I  prevented  my  friends  from  using  violent  means.  I 
told  them  I  could  bear  it  for  Christ's  sake.  I  felt  an 
uninterrupted  peace,  ^y  soul  was  joyful  in  the  God 
of  my  salvation.  The  man  who  officiated  called  out 
for  more  tar,  adding  that  I  was  'true  blue.'  He  laid  it 
on  lil^erally.  At  length  one  of  the  company  cried  out 
in  mercv,  Tt  is  enough.'  The  last  stroke  made  wdth 
the  paddle  with  wdiich  the  tar  w^as  applied  was  drawn 
across  the  naked  eye-ball,  which  caused  severe  pain, 
from  which  I  have  never  entirely  recovered.  In  taking 
cold  it  often  becomes  inflamed  and  quite  painful  I 
was  not  taken  from  my  horse,  which  was  a  very  spir- 
ited animal.  Two  men  held  him  by  the  bridle,  while 
one,  elevated  to  a  suitable  height,  applied  the  tar. 
My  horse  became  so  frightened  that  when  they  let 
him  go,  he  dashed  off  with  such  violence  that  I  could 
not  rein  him  up  for  some  time,  and  narrowly  escaped 
having  my  brains  dashed  out  against  a  tree.    If  I  ever 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 49 

felt  for  tlic  souls  of  men,  I  did  for  theirs.  When  I 
got  to  my  appointment,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  so 
overpowered  me  that  I  fell  prostrate  before  him  for 
my  enemies." 

P'our  weeks  later  he  returned  to  the  same  place, 
and  preached.  The  leader  of  the  mob  and  several  of 
his  associates  were  afterwards  converted.  Judge  Mc- 
Lean says  of  him:  "He  was  perhaps  the  subject  of 
more  persecution  for  his  Master's  sake  than  any  of  his 
contemporaries."  On  account  of  ill-health  he  was 
obliged  to  locate,  but  continued  to  serve  the  Church 
as  a  local  preacher,  and  was  very  successful  in  extend- 
ing the  work  of  Methodism. 

There  came  into  his  possession,  by  marriage,  nine 
slaves.  He  determined  to  liberate  them.  The  deed 
of  emancipation  again  reveals  his  manly  spirit.  It 
reads  as  follows:  "Know  all  men  by  these  presents, 
that  I,  Philip  Gatch,  of  Powhatan  County,  Virginia, 
do  believe  that  all  men  are  by  nature  equally  free;  and 
from  a  clear  conviction  of  the  injustice  of  depriving 
my  fellow-creatures  of  their  natural  rights,  do  hereby 
emancipate  and  set  free  the  following  persons."  One 
object  of  his  moving  West  was  to  get  rid  of  slavery. 
He  says:  'T  viewed  the  evils  of  slavery  at  present  as 
great,  and  apprehended  more  serious  results  in  the 
future,  if  some  effectual  remedy  should  not  be  ap- 
plied." 

When  he  moved  to  Ohio  he  became  a  neighbor 
and  co-worker  of  McCormick.  He  was  active  in 
preaching  in  various  settlements.  He  did  all  he  could 
to  promote  the  growth  of  the  Church,  and  became  a 
representative  Methodist  in  Ohio. 


I50  OHIO  METHODISM. 

He  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  Convention  which 
formed  the  Constitution  of  the  State.  The  Legislature 
appointed  him  associate  judge.  He  served  on  the 
bench  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  twenty-two 
years,  and  ''reflected  honor  on  the  public  justice."  In 
advanced  life  he  wrote:  "I  am  now  grown  old,  and 
what  can  I  say  respecting  Methodism?  I  believe  its 
plan  is  of  Divine  origin,  and  millions  with  me  will 
have  cause  to  thank  and  adore  the  Lord  through 
eternity  for  it,  and  for  the  whole  of  Methodism.  I  do 
not  believe  there  ever  was  such  a  set  of  men  since 
the  apostolic  days  for  zeal,  fortitude,  and  usefulness 
in  bringing  sinners  to  the  knowledge  of  themselves 
and  of  Christ  as  our  traveling  preachers.  My  journey 
through  life  will  soon  be  brought  to  a  close.  I  have 
no  other  plea  to  make  'but  that  Jesus  Christ  came  into 
the  world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am  chief.'  " 
This  venerable  man,  who  had  rendered  invaluable 
service  to  his  Church  and  country,  preached  his  last 
sermon  when  he  was  eighty-four  years  old.  In  1836 
he  died  '^in  great  peace  and  unshaken  confidence  in 
Christ."  His  last  words  were:  "Glory,  honor,  immor- 
tality, eternal  hfe." 

It  is  a  significant  fact  that  many  of  the  local  preach- 
ers of  early  times,  who  worked  zealously  to  promote 
the  Interest  of  the  Church,  rose  to  positions  of  dis- 
tinction in  the  State.  There  was  Scott,  who,  after 
serving  the  Church  acceptably,  became  a  judge  of 
the  Supreme  Court.  IMcCormick  was  a  judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  for  more  than  two  decades.  Bostwick 
exerted  not  only  a  good  influence  in  the  Church,  but 
was  an  influential  citizen,  and  rose  to  distinction  in 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  151 

the  medical  profession.  Burke  served  as  postmaster 
in  Cincinnati  for  twenty-eight  successive  years.  Tiffin 
was  a  brilHant  preacher,  a  skilled  physician  and  sur- 
geon, a  gifted  statesman,  and  became  the  lirst  gov- 
ernor of  Ohio,  and,  after  serving  two  terms,  was  finally 
chosen  to  occupy  a  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate. 
These  men,  and  many  others  like  them,  "gave  a  char- 
acter and  impulse  to  Methodism  in  Ohio"  to  which 
must  be  ascribed  much  of  its  subsequent  power  over 
all  the   Old    Northwestern   Territory. 

Wm.  McKendree,  a  leading  pioneer  of  Western 
Methodism,  was  born  in  Kings  County,  Virginia,  July 
6,  1757.  He  was  a  volunteer  in  the  Revolutionary 
W^ar.  At  thirty  years  of  age  he  was  converted,  and 
in  1788  received  into  the  ministry  on  trial.  He  became 
a  great  leader  in  the  armies  of  Israel,  and  one  of  the 
saintliest  brothers  of  the  Church.  In  1796  he  was 
made  presiding  elder,  and  in  1801  he  was  sent  to  take 
the  supervision  of  the  societies  in  Ohio.  He  was 
elected  the  fourth  bishop  of  the  Church  in -1808,  and 
"was  prepared  to  enter  upon  episcopal  duties  and 
services  with  a  heart  touched  with  itinerant  trials." 
For  twenty-seven  years  he  filled  the  office  with  honor 
and  devotion  to  the  Church. 

The  Sabbath  before  his  election  to  the  episcopacy 
he  preached  at  Light  Street  Church,  Baltimore,  when 
a  large  number  of  members  of  the  General  Conference 
were  present.  His  sermon  was  delivered  with  remark- 
able power,  and  it  "was  spoken,"  says  an  eyewitness, 
"with  a  soul  overflowing  with  the  most  hallowed  and 
exalted  feelings,  and  with  such  an  emphasis  that  it 
was  like  the  sudden  bursting  of  a  cloud  surcharged 


152  OHIO  METHODISM. 

with  water.  The  congregation  was  instantly  over- 
whelmed with  a  shower  of  Divine  grace  from  the 
upper  world.  At  first  sudden  shrieks,  as  of  persons 
in  distress,  were  heard  in  dififerent  parts  of  the  house; 
then  shouts  of  praise,  and  in  every  direction  sobs 
and  groans.  The  eyes  of  the  people  overflowed  with 
tears,  while  many  were  prostrated  upon  the  floor, 
or  lay  helpless  in  the  seats.  A  very  large,  athletic- 
looking  preacher  who  was  sitting  by  my  side  suddenly 
fell  upon  his  seat,  as  if  pierced  by  a  bullet,  and  I  felt 
my  heart  melting  under  emotions  which  I  could  not 
well  resist." 

This  citation  reveals  the  remarkable  power  of  the 
man  as  a  preacher.  It  has  been  well  said  of  him  that 
"he  was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  genius,  deeply 
pious,  and  modest  almost  to  timidity.  His  mind  was 
clear  and  logical,  his  knowledge  varied  and  extensive, 
his  imagination  lively,  but  well  regulated,  his  elo- 
quence unusually  powerful.  He  was  careful  in  the 
administration  of  discipline,  and  introduced  system 
into  all  the  operations  of  the  Church."  The  character 
of  this  strong  man  of  God  continued  to  shine  more  and 
more  as  years  went  on,  and  when  death  came,  in  1835, 
his  last  response  to  a  companion-watcher  was:  "All 
is  well!    All  is  well!" 

Wm.  H.  Raper  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1793. 
When  quite  young,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Columbia,  Ohio.  At  nineteen  he  enlisted  in  the  army, 
where  he  did  excellent  service.  In  1816  he  joined  the 
Church,  and  in  1819  was  received  on  trial  and  ap- 
pointed to  the  Madison  Circuit.  His  ministerial  career 
was  exercised  in  Ohio  and  Indiana.     He  was  a  bold, 


PIONEER   PREACHERS,  1 53 

fearless  preacher,  a  good  administrator,  a  profound 
theologian,  and  possessed  of  a  large  amount  of  gen- 
eral information,  together  with  a  tactful  and  affable 
manner.  His  social  qualities  and  conversational 
powers  were  of  a  superior  order,  which  naturally  won 
for  him  a  host  of  admirers  and  friends,  and  marked 
a  fruitful  ministry  of  thirty-three  years.  He  died  in 
1852.  Before  the  chariot  of  the  Lord  came  to  transfer 
him  above,  he  remarked  to  a  brother:  "I  feel  like  one 
at  a  way  station,  on  the  platform,  with  my  trunk 
packed,  waiting  for  the  cars." 

One  of  the  great  pioneers  of  historic  importance 
in  early  Methodism  was  the  Rev.  Asa  Shinn.  He  was 
of  Quaker  origin.  He  began  to  preach  before  he 
had  ever  seen  a  meeting-house  or  a  pulpit.  He  entered 
the  ministry  in  the  year  1800,  traveled  extensively,  and 
labored  with  success  in  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia, 
and  Kentucky,  and  in  several  Eastern  States.  In 
1803  he  organized  a  four  wrecks'  circuit  on  Hockhock- 
ing  with  fifteen  societies.  ''His  intellect  was  of  the 
highest  order  found  among  the  strong,  but  uneducated 
men  of  the  ]\Iethodist  ministry  of  his  time.  As  a 
preacher  he  was  pre-eminently  able  and  powerful, 
logical,  clear,  and  full  of  persuasive  force.  He  had  no 
imagination,  no  poetical  ornamentation;  his  power 
arose  solely  from  concentrated  thought  and  moral 
feeling."  "He  wielded  a  strong  and  sharp  pen,  and 
became  a  champion  of  the  secession  which  led  to  the 
organization  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 
Four  times  he  suffered  attacks  of  mental  derangement, 
and  died  in  the  insane  asylum  in  1853." 

Another  veneral)le    representative   of  the   Church 


154 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


was  Rev.  James  Quinn.  He  was  born  in  1775,  and 
heard  his  first  sermon  when  eleven  years  of  age. 
In  1792  he  was  converted,  and  joined  the  Meth- 
odist Church,  and  became  an  active  member  of  the 

same.     He  entered  the  itinerant  ranks  in   1799,  and 


JAMES  QUINN. 

labored  for  more  than  half  a  century  with  apostolic 
zeal,  and  made  full  proof  of  his  ministry.  "In  1804 
we  find  him,"  says  Abel  Stevens,  ^'traveling  the  Hock- 
hocking  Circuit,  Ohio,  an  immense  field,  comprising 
not  only  all  the  settlements  of  that  river,  but  those 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 55 

of  the  Muskingum  and  of  the  Scioto,  from  the  high 
bank  below  ChilHcothe  as  far  up  as  the  site  of  Co- 
lumbus, and  those  also  of  many  other  streams.  He 
was  still  a  pioneer  and  founder,  forming  societies  in 
almost  all  the  sparse  communities.  His  family  was 
placed  in  a  cabin,  exposed  to  the  Indians,  and  on  his 
occasional  visits  home  he  had  to  carry  flour  to  them 
more  than  forty  miles.  He  v/ent  through  the  country, 
scattering  the  'good  seed'  of  the  gospel  broadcast. 
.  .  ,  Quinn  continued  to  labor  in  Ohio  with  great 
success;  on  Muskingum  District  in  1808;  Scioto  Dis- 
trict in  1812;  Fairfield  Circuit  in  1816;  Pickaway 
Circuit  in  1817;  at  Cincinnati  in  1818,  and  at  ChilH- 
cothe in  1820."  Later  in  life,  in  reviewing  his  work, 
he  wrote:  ''In  each  of  these  fields  it  may  be  safely 
asserted  that  during  the  last  forty  years  thousands 
of  redeemed  sinners  have  been  called,  justified,  sancti- 
fied, and  taken  home  to  heaven,  while  thousands  more, 
to  the  third  and  fourth  generation,  are  still  on  the 
way.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  for  what  my  eyes 
have  seen!  If  the  men  that  labored  and  suffered  here 
were  unlearned  in  the  classics,  and  therefore,  in  the 
judgment  of  some,  incompetent  ministers,  yet  hath 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  through  their  instru- 
mentality, given  to  his  people  and  the  world  many 
competent  ministers  who  have  been,  and  still  are, 
both  burning  and  shining  lights."  After  a  half  cen- 
tury of  faithful  service  to  the  Church,  he  stood  in 
a  Conference  in  Ohio,  and  could  say:  "And  now  here 
I  am,  *a  reed  shaken  with  the  wind,'  a  feeble  old  man, 
trembling,  as  I  lean  upon  the  top  of  my  staff;  but 
where  am  I?     In  the  midst  of  a  Conference  of  min- 


156  OHIO  METHODISM. 

insters,  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  number,  most 
of  whom  have  been  twice  born  since  the  time  of  which 
I  speak.  Among  them  are  the  sons,  the  grandsons, 
and  the  great-grandsons  of  those  who  kindly  received 
me,  and  to  whom  I  ministered  in  their  humble  dwell- 
ings. No  doubt  I  have  taken  some  of  these  min- 
isters in  my  arms,  and  dedicated  them  to  God  in  holy 
baptism;  and  on  some  of  them  I  have  laid  my  hand 
in  consecrating  them  to  the  sacred  office  and  work  of 
the  ministry.  O,  why  should  my  heart  yield  to  fear? 
The  Lord  of  Hosts  is  with  us.  The  God  of  Jacob 
is  yet  our  help." 

He  was  an  instructive  and  powerful  preacher. 
When  delivering  his  sermons,  he  became  ''over- 
whelmed with  his  subject,  manifestly  endued  with 
power  from  on  high,  and  a  sacred  unction  and  Divine 
influence  accompanying  every  sentence;  the  enchained 
multitude  stood  in  solemn  awe,  till  finally  the  awful 
silence  was  broken  by  a  sudden  outburst  of  the  groans 
and  cries  of  sinners,  and  joyful  acclamations  of  Chris- 
tians from  all  parts  of  the  densely  crowded  congre- 
gation." Dr.  Abel  Stevens  sums  up  his  chief  charac- 
teristics in  these  words;  "There  was  a  deep  vein  of 
poetry  in  his  nature.  He  loved  the  great  bards,  and 
his  sermons  abounded  in  fine  citations  from  them. 
His  manners  showed  a  singular  blending  of  dignity 
and  amenity,  the  truest  style  of  the  real  gentleman; 
solemnity  and  pathos  characterized  him  in  his  relig- 
ious exercises;  his  form  was  manly,  nearly  six  feet 
in  height,  and  well  proportioned;  his  forehead  prom- 
inent and  broad ;  his  eyes  dark,  deeply  set,  and  shaded 
by  heavy  brows.     He  died  at  an  advanced  age,  and 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 57 

thus  closed  a  long  and  faithful  career  of  a  great  leader 
of  the  Church."  He  died  in  1847,  ^''is  last  words  being, 
"All  is  peace." 

Another  evangelical  pioneer  of  the  West  was  Rev. 


JAMES  B.  FINLEY. 

James  B.  Finley.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
in  1 78 1,  and  spent  his  childhood  in  Kentucky,  and 
his  early  manhood  in  Ohio.  In  his  youth  he  was 
rough,  reckless,  and  irreligious.  He  cultivated  the 
hardy  habits  of  the  early  backwoodsmen.  The  story 
of  his  many  adventures  with  the  Indians  and  with  wild 


158  OHIO  METHODISM. 

beasts  reads  like  a  romance.  He  was  powerfully 
awakened  and  converted  when  a  young  man.  In  1809 
he  was  received  into  Conference,  and  began  work  on 
the  Scioto  Circuit.  He  attained  distinction  as  a 
preacher  by  his  extraordinary  ability,  zeal,  and  suc- 
cess. His  erect,  stalwart  frame,  expressive  mouth, 
large,  benevolent  eyes,  and  courageous  spirit,  com- 
manded the  respect  of  even  the  opposers  of  religion. 
"Withal  his  heart  was  most  genial,  his  discourses  full 
of  pathos,  and  his  friendships  most  tender  and  last- 
ing. All  over  the  Northwest  be  worked  mightily 
through  a  long  life  to  found  and  extend  his  Church, 
traveling  circuits  and  districts,  laboring  as  missionary 
to  the  Indians  and  chaplain  to  prisoners,  and  in 
his  old  age  making  valuable  historical  contributions 
to  its  Hterature."  His  burning  zeal  and  deep  devo- 
tion to  the  Church  did  not  cease  until  his  death,  in 
1856. 

Another  accomplished  and  heroic  soldier  of  the 
cause  was  John  Strange,  a  Virginian.  He  was  born 
in  1789,  and  commenced  preaching  in  181 1.  He  came 
to  Ohio  in  his  twentieth  year.  He  labored  success- 
fully until  his  death,  in  1832.  "He  was,"  says  a  fellow- 
laborer,  "one  of  the  brightest  lights  of  the  American 
pulpit  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  present  century.  He  was  formed  by  nature 
to  be  eloquent.  .  .  .  There  were  times  when  his 
audiences  were  held  spellbound  by  his  eloquence,  and 
sometimes  they  were  even  raised  en  masse  from  their 
seats."  Few  men  were  ever  more  devoted  to  the 
interests  of  the  Church.  His  last  words  to  a  friend 
were,  "Serve  God,  and  fight  the  devil." 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 59 

One  of  "the  giants  of  those  days"  was  WilHam 
Swayze,  who  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  in  1784,  and 
joined  the  itinerant  ranks  in  1807.  lie  soon  was  able 
to  attract  "great  crowds  of  people  to  his  ministry, 
speaking  with  a  power  and  pathos  that  few  have  ever 
equaled,  moving  and  exciting  many,  some  to  tears, 
ethers  to  cry  for  mercy,  while  others  would  shout  for 
joy."  He  was  eminently  honored  till  he  departed  to 
his  final  rest,  in  1841. 

Russel  Bigelow  was  born  in  Chesterfield,  New 
Hampshire,  February  24,  1793.  He  was  converted, 
and  joined  the  Methodist  Church  in  his  thirteenth  year. 
In  181 2  he  came  to  Worthington,  Ohio,  and  was 
licensed  to  exhort  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years.  He 
started  for  his  first  circuit  in  18 14,  and  gave  twenty 
years  of  toilsome  service  to  the  ministry.  He  was 
a  man  of  medium  size,  with  a  towering  forehead  and 
brilliant  eyes.  He  had  a  good  education  and  a  natu- 
rally logical  mind.  His  fresh  thoughts,  fluent  words, 
emphatic  delivery,  and  sublime  utterances  made  him 
an  impressive  orator.  He  could  appeal  to  the  hearts 
of  his  hearers  with  powerful  effect. 

In  1839,  at  Doughty's  Forks,  Holmes  County,  he 
preached  a  sermon  on  the  "Solemnity  of  the  Judg- 
ment-day," and  so  moved  his  audience  that,  at  the 
close,  one  thousand  persons,  ^'with  outstretched  arms 
and  uplifted  hands,"  cried  aloud  for  mercy,  and  five 
hundred  penitents  knelt  at  the  altar.  Russel  Bigelow 
was  a  man  of  great  faith  and  prayer.  This  consecrated 
pioneer  preacher  possessed  the  spirit  of  a  martyr  and 
the  zeal  and  courage  of  an  apostle.  He  had  "the 
manner  of  a  gentleman,  the  graces  of  a  Christian,  and 


i6o 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


the  gifts  of  an  orator."  Through  exposure  and  un- 
remitting toil  he  met  his  death  at  forty-three.  He 
closed  his  earthly  life  calmly  and  triumphantly,  in 
1835,  at  Columbus. 

Charles  Elliott,  born  in  1792,  was  a  man  of  genial 


CHARLES  ELLIOTT. 


character  and  tireless  energy.  He  served  the  Church 
as  circuit  preacher,  presiding  elder,  missionary  to  the 
Indians,  editor,  college  professor,  and  president. 

Alfred  Brunson,  "the  veteran  of  long  and  useful 
service,"  was  a  man  signally  successful  as  a  preacher, 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  l6l 

presiding   elder,   chaplain,   state   legislator,   and   mis- 
sionary to  the  Indians. 

Thomas  A.  Morris,  born  in  Virginia  in  1794,  was 
converted  and  joined  the  Church  in  Cabell  County 
in  181 3,  under  the  labors  of  David  Young,  and  was  ad- 


THOMAS  A.  MORRIS. 

mitted  on  trial  in  the  Ohio  Conference  in  18 16.  He 
was  a  successful  minister  of  the  gospel  until  1834, 
when  he  was  appointed  editor  of  the  Western  Chris- 
tian  Advocate.  Two  years  later  he  was  elected  bishop. 
His  tranquil  piety,  vigorous  style,  and  practical  wis- 
II 


1 62  OHIO   METHODISM. 

doni    gave     him     great     influence     throughout    the 
Church. 

The  ministerial  achievements  of  Jacob  Young 
awaken  our  wonder.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia. 
He  was  a  studious  youth,  and  grew  to  be  a  finished 


DAVID  YOUNG. 


gentleman  of  the  Virginia  school.  He  joined  the 
Methodist  itinerancy  in  1808.  From  181 1  to  1849  he 
labored  successfully  in  Ohio,  where  he  exerted  a 
commanding  influence.  His  grave  and  dignified 
manner,   general    intelligence,    logical    methods,    im- 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 63 

pressive  manner,  and  fervency  of  spirit  enabled  him  to 
electrify  whole  audiences  by  his  preaching-.  This 
"weeping  prophet"  died  in  Zanesville  in  1858,  saying: 
*T  am  calmly,  though  through  great  physical  suffer- 
ing, nearing  my  better  home." 


JACOB  YOUNG. 

Another  successful  and  extraordinary  minister  of 
the  gospel  was  Henry  B.  Bascom.  He  was  bom  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1796,  and  joined  the  Conference  in 
1813.  He  was  tall,  well-proportioned,  wnth  black 
eyes  and  symmetrical  features.  His  fine  imagination, 
rhetorical  force,  and  wonderful  power  soon  won  for 


164  OHIO  METHODISM. 

him  unrivaled  fame  as  an  orator  in  the  American 
pulpit. 

Rev.  E.  C.  Gavitt  did  heroic  service  in  the  Church. 
He  was  reared  by  pious  parents  near  Granville,  Ohio, 
and  at  the  age  of  eleven  preached  his  first  ser- 
mon. He  joined  the  effective  ministry  of  Methodism 
in  1828,  and  continued  for  more  than  a  half  century 
a  faithful  servant  of  the  Church.  He  traveled  on 
horseback  a  sufficient  number  of  miles  to  go  round 
the  world  and  back,  preached  more  than  eight  thou- 
sand sermons,  and  received  at  least  ten  thousand 
persons  into  the  Church. 

One  of  the  strong  men  of  genius  raised  up  in  the 
West  was  John  P.  Durbin.  He  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1800,  and  eighteen  years  later  entered  the 
Methodist  itinerancy.  He  soon  became  distinguished 
as  a  strong,  eloquent  preacher  and  a  fine  scholar.  His 
entire  self-possession,  artless  manner,  patient  indus- 
try, and  executive  ability  were  among  the  great  ele- 
ments of  his  strength.  His  unique  thought,  clothed 
in  simple  language,  together  with  deep  pathos  and  a 
peculiar  voice,  gave  him  a  mystic  power  over  his 
hearers.  He  was  appointed  missionary  secretary  in 
1850.  For  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  his  piety  and 
zeal  inspired  hope  in  the  Church.  His  heroism  and 
faithful  services  in  developing  and  extending  the  power 
of  the  Missionary  Society  will  always  receive  the  grati- 
tude of  the  Church.  In  1876  the  world  sustained  a 
great  loss  when  such  a  moral  force  as  John  P.  Durbin 
passed  from  earth  to  heaven. 

Space  and  time  will  not  admit  the  record  of  the 
lives  of  many  other  noble  pioneer  preachers  in  Ohio, 


riONEER  rREAClIKRS. 


who  are  as  worthy  of  special  mention  as  any  we 
have  named.  When  the  annals  of  the  Church  are 
fully  written,  the  record  of  their  deeds  can  not  be 
omitted  without  detracting  from  the  brilliant  history 
of  the  Church.  The  stirring-  memorials  of  the  first 
pioneer  preachers  have  many  lessons  for  our  own  in- 
spiration, as  well  as  instruction  for  future  generations. 


JOHN  p.  DURBIN. 

The  Methodist  preachers  performed  a  work  of 
sublime  importance  for  the  civilization  of  the  West. 
"The  population  was  generally,  though  not  univer- 
sally, of  the  rudest  character,"  says  Stevens,  "much 
of  it  likely  to  sink  into  barbarism,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  gospel  so  persistently  borne  along  from  settlement 


1 66  OHIO  METHODISM. 

to  settlement  by  these  unpaid  and  self-sacrificing  men. 
We  have  already  shown  from  a  contemporary  author 
that  bankrupts,  refugees  from  justice,  deserters  of 
wives  and  children,  and  all  sorts  of  reckless  adventur- 
ers hasten  to  these  wildernesses.  It  was  soon  demon- 
stratively evident  that  the  'itinerancy'  was  a  provi- 
dential provision  for  the  great  moral  exigencies  of 
this  new,  this  strange,  this  vast  Western  world,  almost 
barricaded  by  mountains  from  the  Christian  civihza- 
tion  of  the  Atlantic  States,  but  not  barricaded  from 
the  civilizing  power  of  Christianity,  as  embodied  in  the 
indomitable  ministry  of  Methodism." 

The  lesson  this  history  teaches  is  that  we  can  not 
solve  our  modern  social  problems  and  correct  the 
evils  in  our  social  system  by  trusting  alone  to  natural- 
istic principles.  We  must  go  deeper,  and  touch  the 
taproot  of  the  difficulty.  Only  by  recognizing  the  im- 
portance of  man's  religious  instincts  and  accepting  the 
supernatural  power  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  to 
meet  and  satisfy  man's  need  of  pardon  and  of  salvation 
from  the  power  of  sin,  may  we  hope  for  the  gradual 
elevation  of  society  to  the  plane  of  Christian  civili- 
zation. 

The  Methodist  itinerant  foresaw  that  the  new 
Western  Empire  that  was  filling  with  the  teeming  mil- 
lions, attracted  by  the  vast  extent  and  marvelous  fer- 
tility of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Valleys,  must  be 
supplied  with  the  gospel,  to  save  the  country  from 
barbarism.  The  Methodist  Church,  with  its  mounted 
itinerant  ministry,  was  the  greatest  evangelical  agency 
in  existence,  to  cross  rivers,  sweep  over  mountains, 
penetrate  forests,  and  keep  abreast  of  this  westward 


PIONEER  rREACHERS.  167 

flow  of  humanity.  The  Lord  used  the  Church  to  ac- 
compHsh  a  work  of  transcendent  importance.  Social 
and  reHgious  feehngs  received  intehigent  guidance, 
and  contributed  to  social  and  industrial  progress.  The 
natural  instincts  of  humanity  for  individual  freedom, 
for  the  family,  for  power  and  possession,  for  ethical 
and  religious  life,  were  made  so  to  blend  as  to  usher 
in  a  larger  life  for  the  people. 

Our  present  social  order  can  not  be  explained  if 
we  leave  out  the  character  and  services  of  the  old-time 
Methodist  preacher.  He  is  graphically  described  by 
Rev.  Fletcher  L.  Wharton  thus:  "He  helped  to  make 
the  sour  mud-swamps  and  the  bristling  brier-patch  of 
the  early  days  into  the  fruitful  meadow  of  to-day.  His 
message  and  spirit  have  contributed  to  the  best  life 
of  the  Republic,  and  have  transformed  many  a  wild 
Western  settlement  into  a  garden  of  the  Lord.  The 
historians  of  the  future  will  have  more  to  say  of  the 
Christian  evangelists  of  the  earlier  times  than  those 
of  the  past  have  said.  These  early  Methodist  preach- 
ers, the  circuit-riders,  who  are  just  now  finally  dis- 
appearing, were  providential  men.  They  mysteriously 
answered  to  times  big  with  opportunity.  They 
strangely,  almost  unaccountably,  appear  at  a  critical 
hour  in  the  life  of  this  young  Nation,  and,  on  the 
other  hand,  how  these  men  came  to  answer  to  these 
fateful  times  is  no  less  impressive.  When  we  have 
found  out  all  the  causes  that  lie  in  the  springs  of 
human  action,  we  have  not  then  entirely  accounted  for 
these  men.  Think  of  it.  They  were  in  the  fields 
plowing,  in  the  shops  manufacturing,  behind 
counters  trading,  in  the  courts  pleading,  in  the  sick- 


1 68  OHIO   METHODISM. 

cliambcr  prescribing,  in  the  woods  clearing.  They 
were  for  the  most  part  men  of  no  special  education; 
men  w^io  had  grown  up  in  obscurity,  without  antici- 
pation of  great  responsibilities,  and  with  little  thought 
of  anything  outside  the  limits  of  daily  toil.  Under 
the  sway  of  an  impulse,  fitly  named  divine,  they 
abandon  the  plow  in  the  furrow,  and  the  iron  in  the 
forge,  and  the  goods  on  the  counter,  and  the  ax  and 
the  saw,  and  begin  to  preach.  Literally  without  purse 
or  scrip,  they  go  at  God's  command  to  the  wilderness. 
They  boldly  push  on  from  settlement  to  settlement, 
with  fervid,  trembling  lips  shouting  the  message  of 
Christian  righteousness  and  redeeming  love,  to  the 
very  outposts  of  human  habitation  on  this  continent. 
Future  generations,  which  will  have  been  made  nobler 
by  their  messages  of  God's  truth,  will  see,  as  we  do 
not,  the  colossal  characters  they  were.  These  men 
who  have  been,  are  already  coming  to  be  pictured 
in  the  imagination  of  men.  In  that  picture  is  the  noble 
horse,  with  proudly  lifted  head,  tossing  his  mane  to 
the  wind,  with  intelligent  eyes  and  wide  forehead,  and 
broad  chest  netted  with  silken  veins,  sleek  limbs  and 
shining  flanks,  with  dainty  feet  lightly  picking  his 
way  over  tangled  paths.  His  easy  rider  is  clothed 
with  the  old-time  great  coat  and  leggings,  and  buffalo 
shoes  and  heavy  gloves.  The  bronze  of  the  wind  is 
on  his  face,  his  keen  eyes  flash,  his  lips  set  firm,  and 
a  mild  resurrection  light  is  in  his  countenance.  Under 
him  are  his  honest  saddlebags,  bulging  with  clothing 
and  books  and  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  scholar- 
ships, while  the  great  trees  bow  to  him  as  he  rides 
swiftly   on   to   his   appointment   through   the   woods. 


PIONEER   PREACHERS.  1 69 

The  old-time  Methodist  preacher  was  a  providential 
character.  It  will  take  at  least  another  hundred  years 
for  the  world  to  find  him  out.  To  the  world  at  large 
these  early  itinerants  will  stand  as  civilization-builders. 
To  our  own  Nation,  where  they  have  lived  and  worked, 
they  will  stand  alongside  our  statesmen  and  patriots. 
In  every  period  of  this  Nation's  history  these  Meth- 
odist preachers  have  stood  for  conscience  and  edu- 
cation, the  bulwarks  of  a  nation.  Without  these,  such 
a  government  and  social  order  as  ours  were  impossible. 
These  preachers  never  for  one  moment  let  the  Nation 
forget  God.  Tireless  as  the  feet  of  love  and  faith, 
they  hurried  from  community  to  community,  on 
street-corners,  and  in  grove  and  schoolhouse  and 
humble  church,  preaching  Christ,  lifting  up  the  stand- 
ard of  the  righteousness  of  eternal  love.  At  the  im- 
pulse of  the  message  they  bore  to  the  listening  mul- 
titudes, wave  on  wave  of  revival  of  Christian  feeling 
and  faith  steadily  swept  over  the  country.  With  a 
wild,  rugged  eloquence,  almost  unmatched  in  the  his- 
tory of  public  speech,  they  pleaded  with  men  against 
their  sins,  turning  the  hearts  of  thousands  and  thou- 
sands toward  God.  Under  the  power  of  their  appeals 
wild,  lawless  communities,  whose  pastimes  were 
drunken  bouts,  whose  humors  were  the  brutal  inflic- 
tion of  pain,  where  God  and  human  goodness  were 
almost  totally  discredited,  under  the  force  of  the  ap- 
peals of  the  itinerant,  these  communities  were  trans- 
formed into  societies  of  beautiful  domestic  life.  And 
out  of  them  have  come  much  of  the  strength  and  the 
character  of  the  Nation  of  to-day."  Their  moral  and 
religious  influence  has  been  in  a  great  measure  con- 


lyo  OHIO   METHODISM. 

served  and  perpetuated.  In  every  community 
throughout  the  State,  wherever  a  Methodist  church 
has  been  planted  and  maintained,  the  good  influ- 
ences of  these  sturdy  and  pious  preachers  are  still 
operative,  and  will  continue  to  enrich  and  build  up  a 
higher  type  of  Christian  character  with  each  succeed- 
ing generation. 


Chapter  VL 


fLESSED  is  the  soul  which  hears  within  the  Lord  speaking,  and 
receives  from  his  mouth  the  word  of  consolation.  Blessed 
are  they  who  dive  into  things  eternal,  and  strive  day  by  day  through 
spiritual  exercises  to  gain  a  deeper  capacity  for  receiving  heavenly 
secrets." — Of  the  Imitation  of  Christ. 

'*<^HE  soul  once  brought  into  inner  and  i?nmediate  contact  with  a 
^  divine  power  is  never  left  to  itself." — Dinian. 

"^OW  on  in  faith! 
*^  Sow  the  good  seed!  another  after  thee 
Shall  reap.     Hast  thou  not  garnered  many  fruits 
Of  others'  sowing,  whom  thou  knowest  not? 
Canst  tell  how  many  struggles,  sufferings,  tears, 
All  unrecorded,  unremembered  all, 

Have  gone  to  build  up  what  thou  hast  of  good?" — Anon. 
172 


CHAPTER  VI. 

IN  our  age  we  can  hardly  appreciate  the  privations  and 
perils  of  the  early  pioneers  and  evangelists.  They 
stood  upon  the  frontier,  confronting  the  great  wilder- 
ness, and  were  exposed  to  many  severe  hardships 
which  were  incidental  to  the  settling-up  of  a  new 
country.  The  settlements,  composed  of  a  few  families, 
were  scattered  over  the  State,  mostly  along  the  rivers. 
The  early  itinerants  carried  the  gospel  in  the  very 
front  ranks  of  civilization.  They  braved  dangers,  and 
undertook  long  and  perilous  journeys  over  bad  roads 
and  through  dense  forests,  with  a  zeal  and  enthusiasm 
which  never  faltered.  They  often  had  to  travel  a 
circuit  of  four  or  five  hundred  miles  in  circumference, 
every  four  weeks;  journeying  along  blind  paths,  found 
by  marked  trees;  crossing  swollen  streams;  climbing 
high  hills,  rugged  precipices;  and  sometimes,  weary 
and  hungry,  camping  in  the  woods  all  night,  these 
men  of  God  went  forward  with  undaunted  courage 
to  endure  hardships  and  perform  herculean  labors  in 
order  to  preach  the  message  of  salvation.  Their  rest- 
less energy  was  not  to  be  baffled  by  opposition  or 
appalled  by  dangers. 

Under  hardships  and  exposures  the  Church  ex- 
tended her  boundaries  as  the  new  settlements  multi- 
plied. The  standard  of  the  Cross  was  uplifted  in  every 
remote  neighborhood,  and  greeted  the  settlers  as  they 
slowly  moved  westward.  The  Church  rose  to  great- 
ness and  power  through  the  heroic  services  of  those 

173 


174  OHIO   METHODISM. 

who  inaugurated  and  built  up  the  frontier  work.  We 
have  read  numerous  histories  and  biographies  and 
sketches  of  these  early  pioneer  preachers,  finding  real 
pleasure  lingering  over  the  interesting  pages;  and  here 
and  there  we  have  gathered  a  few  citations  to  illustrate 
the  manner  of  their  traveling,  preaching,  and  build- 
ing up  the  Church. 

John  Kobler,  in  1798,  labored  and  traveled  night 
and  day  in  the  Territory  for  about  nine  months.  He 
wrote:  "The  houses  here  are  very  small,  often  with 
only  one  room  and  fireplace,  around  which  the  whole 
family,  children,  dogs  and  all,  crowd,  and  seem  to 
claim  the  same  privileges  and  possess  equal  rights. 
Frequently  I  sit  on  one  stool  or  bench  and  eat  ofif  an- 
other wdiich  serves  as  a  table.  This  domestic  o.rder  I 
ever  meet  with  good  humor,  being  taught  by  expe- 
rience for  years  to  'know  how  to  be  abased,  and  how 
to  abound'  in  all  things,  and  everywhere  being  in- 
structed 'both  to  be  full  and  to  be  hungry.'  When 
we  retire  for  private  devotion,  and  approach  the  throne 
of  grace,  we  kneel  down  by  the  side  of  a  tree  in  snow 
knee-deep ;  yet  even  this  is  a  gracious  privilege.  There 
are  no  candles  to  be  had  for  night-reading  and  study. 
We  take  a  parcel  of  clarified  beeswax,  while  in  a  warm 
state,  and  roll  out  a  tube  in  the  shape  of  a  candle, 
one  end  of  which  is  rolled  into  a  coil,  so  as  to  sit  on  a 
table,  which  answers  for  a  candlestick;  the  other  end 
projects  perpendicularly,  and  gives  the  light.  This 
construction  is  very  portable,  and  can  be  taken  out  in 
a  saddlebag.  In  the  daytime  we  have  recourse  to  the 
woods  for  reading  the  Bible  and  studying  divinity. 
Thus,  seated  on  an  old  log,  niany  a  sermon  has  been 


EXPERIENCES   OF  ITIXERANTS.  1 75 

composed,  which,  on  returning  to  the  house,  has  Ijeen 
preached  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power. 
Horses  usually  have  to  be  tied  to  a  tree  or  fence." 

*'I  have  often  ridden,"  he  said,  "fifteen  or  twenty 
miles  through  the  woods  where  no  one  lived,  the 
people  having  fled  from  danger;  and  I  rode  alone,  for 
I  never  had  any  guard  but  the  angels.  The  tales  of 
woe  that  were  told  me  in  almost  every  place  where 
there  was  danger  (the  places  were  pointed  out  where 
murder  had  been  committed),  sleeping  in  houses 
where  the  people,  who  were  inured  to  these  things, 
were  afraid  to  go  out  of  doors  after  sunset, — I  say, 
riding  alone  under  these  circumstances  was  far  from 
being  agreeable.  I  was  often  in  danger  in  crossing 
rivers  and  swimming  creeks.  I  found  the  people  re- 
markably kind  and  sociable.  Many  pleasant  hours 
we  spent  together  by  the  side  of  our  large  log-fires  in 
the  log-cabins,  conversing  on  various  subjects;  but 
religion  was  generally  our  delightful  theme.  Our 
hearts  were  sometimes  made  to  burn  within  us  while 
we  talked  of  Jesus  and  his  love.  It  is  true,  some  of 
us  smoked  the  pipe  with  them;  but  we  really  thought 
there  was  no  harm  in  that,  for  we  had  no  anti-tobacco 
societies  among  us  then;  and  yet  some  of  us  rose  at 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  pray  and  read  our 
Bibles.  If  we  could  get  a  lamp  or  candle,  we  preferred 
it;  if  not,  we  read  by  firelight.  Many  times  I  have 
begged  to  have  a  pallet  before  the  fire,  that  I  might 
not  oversleep  myself.  We  were  also  regular  in  our 
hours  of  retirement  for  prayer.  When  we  had  a  closet 
for  the  purpose,  we  went  to  it;  if  not,  we  went  to  the 
woods  in  summer;  but  when  there  was  danger,  always 


176  OHIO  METHODISM. 

at  an  early  hour.  In  winter,  or  when  it  rained,  we 
sought  a  place  in  a  fodderhouse,  or  somewhere  else, 
where  we  could  be  secreted.  More  than  once  I  have 
been  startled  by  dogs  bouncing  out  when  I  entered 
into  the  fodderhouse,  or  coming  upon  me  at  my  de- 
votions, and  assailing  me  as  an  intruder.  If  I  did  not 
enjoy  the  privilege  of  private  prayer,  particularly  in  the 
evening,  I  felt  uncomfortable  in  mind.  And  we  were 
not  satisfied  with  having  said  our  prayers;  our  doc- 
trine was:  Tray  till  you  get  your  soul  happy.'  " 

Henry  Smith,  who  took  his  first  trip  over  the 
Scioto  Circuit  in  1799  (September),  tells  us  how  he 
gathered  some  of  his  congregations: 

'Thursday,  26th.  I  left  this  kind  family  at  the 
mouth  of  Red  Oak,  and  started  for  Eagle  Creek,  and 
began  to  inquire  for  Methodists,  but  could  hear  of 
none.  I  took  up  Eagle  Creek,  and  being  directed  to 
a  family  where  I  could  get  some  information,  I  rode 
up  to  the  house,  and  asked  the  good  man  of  the  house 
if  he  could  tell  me  where  any  of  the  people  called 
Methodists  lived.  He  said  he  could  give  me  no  infor- 
mation. But  his  wife  formerly  belonged  to  the  society, 
and  invited  me  to  alight  and  come  in.  I  did  so;  and 
while  my  horse  was  eating,  I  told  them  who  I  was, 
and  my  business.  I  entered  into  conversation  about 
spiritual  things,  and  requested  the  man  to  call  his 
family  together;  and  I  prayed  with  and  for  them,  and 
was  much  drawn  out.  I  gave  them  a  short  exhor- 
tation, and  left  them  all  in  tears.  I  rode  about  eight 
or  nine  miles,  and  inquired  for  Methodists  again,  and 
was  directed  to  a  poor  man's  cabin.  I  found  him  and 
his  wife  Jane  in  the  cornfield.     I  called  to  him,  and 


EXPERIENCES   OF  ITINERANTS.  I  77 

inquired  if  he  could  tell  me  where  I  could  find  any  of 
the  people  called  Alethodists.  He  lea])ed  over  the 
fence,  ran  to  me,  and  took  me  by  the  hand  with  all 
the  cordiality  of  a  true  Irishman.  I  told  him  my 
name  and  business,  and  he  received  me  with  every 
expression  of  joy,  called  to  Jane,  and  conducted  me 
in  triumph  to  the  cabin.  Jane  came  out  of  the  field  in 
cornfield  habiliments,  it  is  true;  but  she  soon  washed 
and  changed  her  dress,  and  appeared  to  make  me 
as  welcome  to  their  cabin  as  her  husband.  Such  a 
reception  was  worth  a  day's  ride.  If  I  was  but  poorly 
qualified  for  a  missionary  in  every  other  respect,  I 
was  not  in  one  thing;  for  I  had  long  since  conquered 
my  foolish  prejudice  and  delicacy  about  eating,  drink- 
ing, and  lodging.  I  cotild  submit  to  any  kind  of  in- 
convenience where  I  had  an  opportunity  of  doing 
good,  for  I  thought  myself  honored  in  being  permit  ' 
to  labor  in  any  part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  My  c  • 
was  among  the  poor,  and  among  them  I  could  ' ^A 
myself  at  home.  Jane  gave  me  something  to  eat,  and 
we  ate  our  morsel  with  gladness,  and  talked  about 
Jesus.  In  time  of  family  prayer  the  melting  power 
of  God  came  down  and  filled  the  place  with  glory. 
The  merciful  people  had  taken  their  poor  horse  in  with 
them  the  previous  winter,  and  of  course  it  could  not 
be  very  agreeable;  but  poor  Jane  brought  out  of  her 
chest  as  clean  white  sheets  as  ever  came  from  Ireland, 
and  spread  them  on  my  bed,  and  I  slept  sweetly,  and 
arose  refreshed." 

James  B.  Finley,  one  of  the  crowned  princes  of  the 
Methodist  itinerancy  of  early  days,  writes:  "My  want 
of  experience  and  conscious  inability  to  preach  the 


178  OHIO  METHODISM. 

gospel  as  a  workman  that  need  not  be  ashamed,  led 
me  to  seek,  with  great  earnestness,  the  sanctifying 
influences  of  the  Spirit  of  God^  and  to  devote  every 
spare  hour  to  the  study  of  the  Bible.  My  place  of 
study  was  the  forest,  and  my  principal  text-books  the 
Bible,  Discipline,  doctrinal  tracts,  and  the  works  of 
Wesley  and  Fletcher.  Often,  while  in  the  woods, 
reading  my  Bible  on  my  knees  and  praying  to  God 
for  the  wisdom  that  cometh  down  from  above,  was 
my  heart  comforted.  My  feeble  efforts  were  abun- 
dantly blessed;  and  many  souls  were  given  to  my 
ministry." 

On  one  occasion,  overtaken  by  darkness  while 
traveling  his  circuit  near  Cadiz,  he  followed  a  path 
to  the  cabin  of  an  old  Irish  gentleman,  a  Roman 
Catholic.  "On  entering  this  habitation  in  the  woods," 
he  says,  '1  found  the  family  at  their  evening  repast. 
They  occupied  one  side  of  the  fireplace,  and  a  calf, 
which  was  busy  eating  a  mess  of  pumpkins,  occupied 
the  other.  I  was  invited  to  join  the  evening  meal, 
which  I  did  with  good  relish,  as  I  had  eaten  nothing 
during  the  day.  After  supper  was  ended,  I  asked  the 
old  gentleman  in  regard  to  his  nativity,  his  religious 
profession,  etc.  On  his  informing  me  that  he  was 
a  Roman  Catholic,  I  inquired  how  he  got  along  with- 
out his  confession.  At  this  he  became  visibly  agitated, 
and  informed  me  that  he  had  not  seen  a  priest  for 
years,  but  that  he  was  laying  up  money  to  go  to  Pitts- 
burg to  obtain  absolution.  I  then  asked  him  if  he 
had  ever  experienced  the  new  birth,  or  if  he  had  been 
born  again.  To  this  question  he  seemed  unable  to 
give  an  answer,  and  manifested  still  more  uneasiness. 


EXPERIENCES   OF  ITINERANTS.  1 79 

He  asked  me  what  I  meant;  for,  said  he,  'I  am  now 
seventy  years  old,  and  never  heard  of  such  a  thing 
in  all  my  life.'  Becoming  alarmed,  he  called  his  son 
John.  I  told  him  he  need  not  be  excited,  as  I  would 
do  him  no  harm.  He  then  asked  me  if  I  was  a  min- 
ister. I  told  him  I  tried  to  speak  to  the  people,  and 
teach  them  the  way  of  salvation  by  faith  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  The  whole  family  seemed  to  be  alarmed 
at  the  conversation;  but  I  spoke  kindly  to  them;  and 
after  their  fears  were  somewhat  quieted,  I  took  out 
my  Bible,  and  reading  a  part  of  the  third  chapter  of 
John,  I  spent  an  hour  in  explaining  to  them  the  nature 
and  necessity  of  the  new  birth.  The  family  listened 
to  what  I  had  to  say  with  the  most  profound  attention, 
and  silence  was  only  interrupted  by  their  sighs  and 
tears.     After  prayer  we  all  retired  to  rest  for  the  night. 

'Tn  the  morning,  previous  to  leaving,  the  old 
gentleman  invited  me  to  preach  for  the  neighborhood 
when  I  came  round  again,  which  I  promised  to  do, 
enjoining  on  him  and  his  family  the  necessity  of  prayer 
to  God.  Nothing  worthy  of  peculiar  note  occurred 
till  I  returned  to  this  house.  I  found,  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed, a  large  collection  of  people,  and  preached  to 
them  salvation  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  The  Lord  at- 
tended his  Word  with  power  to  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple; many  were  awakened,  and  a  good  work  began. 
Soon  after  the  old  gentleman  experienced  religion, 
and  also  his  son  John;  and  they,  with  other  members 
of  the  family,  joined  the  Church.  The  father  Hved  a 
consistent  life  and  died  a  happy  death,  and  the  son 
became  a  talented  and  useful  cxhorter." 

Among  the  many  agencies  for  the  spread  of  the 


l8o  OHIO   METHODISM, 

gospel  were  the  camp-meetings.  These  became  very 
popular.  A  majority  of  the  people  within  an  area  of 
forty  or  fifty  miles  square  would  assemble  to  hear  ser- 
mons of  the  highest  order,  directed  especially  to  the 
awakening  and  conversion  of  souls.  The  camp-meet- 
ing pulpits  uttered  forth  sermons  of  surpassing  power, 
and  strong  and  mighty  appeals  were  made  to  the  un- 
converted, which  resulted  in  the  salvation  of  thousands 
^f  souls.    The  camp-meeting  fire  spread  as  the  people 

urned  home,  and  revivals  broke  out  in  various  lo- 
.lities. 

William  Burke  says: 

^'Preaching  in  the  woods  was  a  common  thing  at 
popular  meetings,  as  meeting-houses  in  the  West  were 
not  sufficient  to  hold  the  large  number  of  people  that 
attended  on  such  occasions.  This  was  the  case  at  Cane 
Ridge. 

"On  Sunday  morning,  when  I  came  on  the  ground, 
I  was  met  by  my  friends,  to  know  if  I  was  going  to 
preach  for  them  on  that  day.  I  told  them  I  had  not 
been  invited;  if  I  was,  1  should  certainly  do  so.  The 
morning  passed  ofif,  but  no  invitation.  Between  ten 
and  eleven  I  found  a  convenient  place  on  the  body  of 
a  fallen  tree,  about  fifteen  feet  from  the  ground,  where 
I  fixed  my  stand  in  the  open  sun,  with  an  umbrella 
affixed  to  a  long  pole,  and  held  over  my  head  by 
Brother  Hugh  Barnes.  I  commenced  reading  a  hymn 
with  an  audible  voice,  and  by  the  time  we  concluded 
singing  and  praying  we  had  around  us,  standing  on 
their  feet,  by  fair  calculation,  ten  thousand  people. 
I  gave  out  my  text  in  the  following  words:  "For  we 
must  all  stand  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ;" 


EXPERIENCES   OF  ITIXERANTS.  l8l 

and  before  I  concluded  my  voice  was  not  to  be  heard 
for  tlie  g-roans  of  the  distressed  and  the  shouts  of  tri- 
umph. Hundreds  fell  prostrate  to  the  ground,  and 
the  work  continued  on  that  spot  till  Wednesday  after- 
noon. It  was  estimated  by  some  that  not  less  than 
five  hundred  were  at  one  time  lying  on  the  ground  in 
the  deepest  agonies  of  distress,  and  every  few  minutes 
rising  in  shouts  of  triumph.  Toward  the  evening  I 
pitched  the  only  tent  on  the  ground.  Having  been 
accustomed  to  travel  the  wilderness,  I  soon  had  a  tent 
constructed  out  of  poles  and  pawpaw  bushes.  Here 
I  remained  Sunday  night,  and  Monday  and  Monday 
night;  and  during  that  time  there  was  not  a  single 
moment's  cessation,  but  the  work  went  on.  and  old 
and  young,  men,  women,  and  children,  were  converted 
to  God.  It  was  estimated  that  on  Sunday  and  Sunday 
night  there  were  twenty  thousand  people  on  the 
ground.  They  had  come  far  and  near  from  all  parts 
of  Kentucky;  some  from  Tennessee,  and  from  north 
of  the  Ohio  River;  so  that  tidings  of  Cane  Ridge 
meeting  were  carried  to  almost  every  corner  of  the 
country,  and  the  holy  fire  spread  in  all  directions." 

Again  he  says: 

*Tn  August  we  had  a  four-days'  meeting  at  Shan- 
non meeting-house.  This  was  a  time  that  numbers 
still  living  well  remember.  This  meeting  continued 
night  and  day,  without  intermission.  I  was  employed 
night  and  day  without  sleeping  for  three  nights. 
Brother  McKendree  preached  on  Monday  morning, 
and  while  he  was  preaching  the  power  of  God  rested 
on  the  congregation ;  and  about  the  middle  of  his  ser- 
mon it  came  down  upon  him  in  such  a  manner  that 


1 82  OHIO   METHODISM. 

he  sank  down  into  my  arms  while  sitting  behind  him 
in  the  pulpit.  His  silence  called  every  eye  to  the 
pulpit.  I  instantly  raised  him  up  to  his  feet,  and  the 
congregation  said  his  face  beamed  with  glory.  He 
shouted  out  the  praise  of  God,  and  it  appeared  like 
an  electric  shock  in  the  congregation.  Many  fell  to 
the  floor  like  men  slain  on  the  field  of  battle.  The 
meeting  continued  till  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  wit- 
nesses were  raised  up  to  declare  that  God  had  power 
on  earth  to  forgive  sin,  and  many  did  say  he  could 
cleanse  from  all  unrighteousness.  From  this  meeting 
the  w^ork  went  on  with  astonishing  power;  hundreds 
were  converted  to  God;  and  one  of  the  most  pleasing 
features  of  this  revival  was,  that  almost  all  the  chil- 
dren of  the  old,  faithful  Methodists  were  the  subjects 
of  the  work." 

Peter  Cartwright  thus  describes  the  custom  of  the 
early  Methodists,  as  he  saw  them  in  Ohio  in  1804: 

^* We  had  no  pew^ed  churches,  no  choirs,  no  organs ; 
in  a  word,  we  had  no  instrumental  music  in  our 
Churches  anywhere.  The  ^Methodists  in  that  early 
day  dressed  plain;  attended  their  meetings  faithfully, 
especially  preaching,  prayer,  and  class  meetings;  they 
wore  no  jewelrv,  no  ruffles;  they  would  frequently 
w'alk  three  or  four  miles  to  class-meetings,  and  home 
again,  on  Sundays;  they  would  go  thirty  or  forty  miles 
to  their  quarterly-meetings,  and  think  it  a  glorious 
privilege  to  meet  their  presiding  elder,  and  the  rest  of 
the  preachers.  They  could,  nearly  every  soul  of  them, 
sing  our  hymns  and  spiritual  songs.  They  religiously 
kept  the  Sab1)ath-day :  many  of  them  abstained  from 
dram-drinking,  not  because  the  temperance  reforma- 


EXPERIEXCES   OE  El  IN ER ANTS.  1 83 

tion  was  ever  heard  of  in  that  day,  but  because  it  was 
interdicted  in  the  General  Rules  of  our  Discipline. 
The  Methodists  of  that  day  stood  up  and  faced  their 
preacher  when  they  sung;  they  kneeled  down  in  the 
public  congregation  as  well  as  elsewhere  when  the 
preacher  said,  'Let  us  pray.'  There  was  no  standing 
among  the  members  in  time  of  prayer;  they  generally 
fasted  once  a  week,  and  almost  universally  on  the  Fri- 
day before  each  quarterly-meeting." 

The  early  pioneer  preachers  received  a  meager 
support,  and  at  best  close  economy  and  great  hard- 
ships were  required  of  them.  Enlisting  in  the  itin- 
erant's ranks  was  equivalent  to  taking  the  vow  of 
poverty.  Such  were  the  difficulties  to  procure  a  com- 
fortable support  that  the  Conference  did  not  allow 
young  men  to  marry  until  thev  had  traveled  four  years. 
At  the  beginning  few  married  men  were  received. 
'Tart  of  the  time  sixty-four  dollars  was  allowed  a 
traveling  preacher,  and  he  must  find  his  own  horse  and 
fixins,  his  own  wardrobe  and  that  of  his  wife,  to- 
gether with  her  board;  the  other  part  of  the  time  it 
was  eighty  dollars;  still  nothing  for  wife." 

It  was  regarded  as  a  great  advance  when  the  senior 
preacher's  salary  was  pushed  up  to  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  dollars,  and  tliat  of  the  junior  preacher 
to  seventy-five  dollars,  and  paid  in  such  things  as  the 
people  could  spare  from  their  farms  and  stores. 

From  1800  to  1816  their  allowance  was  as  follows: 

(i)  The  annual  salary  of  the  traveling  preacher 
shall  be  eighty  dollars  and  traveling  expenses. 

(2)  The  annual  allowance  of  the  wives  of  the  trav- 
eling preachers  shall  be  eighty  dollars. 


1 84  OHIO   METHODISM. 

(3)  Each  child  of  a  travehng  preacher  shall  be 
allowed  sixteen  dollars  annually  to  the  age  of  seven 
years,  and  twenty-four  dollars  annually  from  the  age 
of  seven  to  fourteen  \ears ;  nevertheless,  this  rule  shall 
not  apply  to  the  children  of  preachers  whose  families 
are  provided  for  by  other  means  in  their  circuits  re- 
spectively. 

In  1809,  James  B.  Finley  was  appointed  to  the 
Wills  Creek  Circuit.  His  autobiography  contains  this 
experience : 

**I  entered  upon  this  work  with  great  fear  and 
trembling.  Nowhere,  in  all  the  round,  could  I  find  a 
place  for  my  family  to  live,  and  hence  I  was  driven  to 
the  necessity  of  building  a  cabin,  which  I  located  on 
the  Leatherwood  Fork  of  Wills  Creek,  fourteen  miles 
west  of  Barnesville.  After  getting  it  ready  for  occu- 
pancy, I  wrote  to  my  father,  requesting  him  to  bring 
my  family,  and  after  a  separation  of  four  months  we 
had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  again.  We  took  posses- 
sion of  our  humble  cabin,  twelve  by  fourteen  feet, 
which  proved  sufficiently  capacious,  as  we  had  nothing 
but  a  bed  and  some  wearing  apparel.  My  funds  being 
all  exhausted,  I  sold  the  boots  off  my  feet  to  purchase 
provisions  with;  and  after  making  all  the  preparation 
that  I  could  to  render  my  family  comfortable^  started 
out  again  upon  my  circuit,  to  be  absent  four  weeks." 

Notwithstanding  the  limited  pecuniary  support, 
these  men  of  God,  who  willingly  lost  their  lives  for 
Christ's  sake,  found  it  in  a  richer  and  broader  life  and 
experience:  "Traveling  and  preaching,  night  and  day, 
in  weariness  and  want;  many  days  without  the  neces- 
saries of  life,  and  alwavs  without  those  comforts  that 


EXPERIEXCES   OF  ITEXERAXTS.  1 85 

are  nOAV  enjoyed  by  traveling  preachers;  with  worn 
and  tattered  garments,  but  happy  and  united  Hke  a 
band  of  brothers.  The  quarterly-meetings  and  An- 
nual Conferences  were  high  times.  When  the  pil- 
grims met,  they  never  met  without  embracing  each 
other,  and  never  parted  at  those  seasons  without  weep- 
ing.    Those  were  days  that  tried  men's  souls." 

Jacob  Young  was  traveling  the  Marietta  Circuit 
in  1805.  He  took  sick  with  a  fever  while  at  Marietta. 
Afterwards  he  gave  the  following  experience: 

"I  preached  several  times,  held  love-feast,  and  had 
an  excellent  cjuarterly-meeting  for  that  place  at  that 
time.  Meeting  over,  and  my  health  l^eing  a  little  im- 
proved, I  began  to  think  about  taking  my  circuit.  On 
examining  my  clothing,  I  found  that  my  shoes  were 
nearly  worn  out;  they  would  neither  keep  my  feet 
warm  nor  dry.  Aly  old  cloak  ^\as  too  thin  for  that 
very  cold  winter.  Having  got  but  little  quarterage  the 
preceding  year,  my  money  was  exhausted.  I  was  at 
a  loss  to  know  what  to  do.  But  man's  distress  is  God's 
opportunity.  A  strange  lady  came  at  the  right  time, 
and  handed  me  a  dollar.  Solomon  Goss  gave  me  four 
or  five  dollars.  Some  other  friends,  unknown  to  me, 
sent  a  few  dollars  m.ore.  I  went  and  bought  me  a  pair 
of  shoes,  a  piece  of  heavy  cloth,  and  employed  a  Miss 
Thankful  West  to  make  me  an  overcoat  for  one  dollar. 
By  the  time  my  garments  were  all  in  order,  my  money 
was  all  gone. 

^'The  next  thing  that  claimed  my  attention  was  a 
settlement  with  the  doctor.  He  said  he  would  be 
glad  to  throw  in  the  whole  bill,  but  he  was  a  poor 
man,  and  it  would  not  be  doing  justice  to  his  family. 


1 86  OHIO  METHODISM. 

The  bill  was  twenty-seven  dollars.  I  told  him  I 
could  not  pay  it;  but  would,  if  ever  I  was  able.  He 
wanted  to  know  if  I  had  not  better  write  to  my  father 
and  get  help.  This  I  did  not  like  to  do.  Here  I 
thought  much  of  wdiat  Rev.  William  McKendree  said 
to  me  when  he  started  me  on  my  first  circuit:  'J^cob, 
be  a  faithful  minister,  and  the  Church  will  take  care  of 
you.'  I  thought  I  had  been  faithful,  and,  it  appeared 
to  me,  the  Church  had  really  failed. 

"  'God's  providences  ripen  fast,  unfolding  every 
hour.'  There  was  a  Methodist  preacher  living  near 
Parkersburg,  by  the  name  of  Reece  Wolfe — a  man 
whom  I  had  never  seen  or  heard  of  before.  He  had 
heard  of  my  situation.  He  went  out  and  gathered  a 
pretty  heavy  load  of  corn,  wheat,  rye,  oats,  and  pota- 
toes, put  them  in  a  canoe,  and,  with  his  own  hands, 
paddled  that  canoe  from  Parkersburg  to  Marietta. 
He  sent  for  the  doctor,  settled  ofT  the  whole  account, 
and  had  money  left.  This  circumstance  has  been  of 
vast  importance  to  me." 

Henry  Smith,  one  of  the  first  standard-bearers 
of  the  gospel  in  Ohio,  speaking  of  his  support,  says: 

*T  traveled  seven  years  under  the  rule  that  allowed 
a  preacher  sixty-four  dollars  a  year,  including  all  mar- 
riage fees  and  presents,  from  a  cravat  down  to  a  pair 
of  stockings.  I  think  our  bishops  w^ere  under  the  same 
rule.  The  last  time  I  saw  this  rule  imposed  was  at  the 
Baltimore  Conference,  held  at  the  stone  chapel,  in 
May,  1800.  In  my  mind  I  vet  see  the  sainted  Wilson 
Lee  hand  over  his  fees  and  presents.  True,  our  travel- 
ing expenses  were  allowed,  if  we  could  get  them.  The 
world  never  saw  a  more  disinterested,  cross-bearing, 


EXPERIENCES   OE  EFEXE RANTS.  1 87 

and  self-sacrificing  set  of  ministers  than  the  early 
Methodist  preachers.  Nothing  but  a  deep  and  abiding 
conviction  of  duty  could  induce  them  to  volunteer  in 
such  a  work." 

The  people  were  poor,  and  able  to  give  but  small 
support  to  the  preacher.  "The  first  settlers,"  says 
J.  B.  Finley,  "could  not  have  sustained  themselves 
had  it  not  been  for  the  wild  game  in  the  country.  This 
was  their  principal  subsistence,  and  this  they  took  at 
the  peril  of  their  lives,  and  often  some  of  them  came 
near  starving  to  death.  Wild  meat,  without  bread  or 
salt,  was  often  their  only  food  for  weeks  together.  If 
they  obtained  bread,  the  meal  was  pounded  in  a  mortar 
or  ground  in  a  handmill.  Hominy  w-as  a  good  sub- 
stitute for  bread,  or  parched  corn  pounded  and  sifted, 
then  mixed  with  a  little  sugar  and  eaten  dry.  On  this 
coarse  fare  the  people  were  remarkably  healthy  and 
cheerful.  Almost  every  man  and  boy  were  hunters, 
and  some  of  the  women  of  those  times  were  expert  in 
the  chase." 

William  Burke  thus  speaks  of  the  poverty  of  the 
times: 

"The  pioneers  of  ^lethodism  in  that  part  of  West- 
ern Virginia  and  the  Western  Territory  suffered  many 
privations,  and  underw^erH;  much  toil  and  labor,  preach- 
ing in  forts  and  cabins,  sleeping  on  straw,  bear,  and 
buffalo  skins,  living  on  bear-meat,  venison,  and  wild 
turkeys,  traveling  over  mountains  and  through  solitary 
valleys,  and  sometimes  lying  on  the  cold  ground;  re- 
ceiving but  a  scanty  support,  barely  enough  to  keep 
soul  and  body  together,  with  coarse  home-made  ap- 
parel; but  the  best  of  all  was,  their  labors  were  owned 


1 88  OHIO   METHODISM. 

and  blessed  of  God,  and  they  were  like  a  band  of 
brothers,  having  one  purpose  and  end  in  view — the 
glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  immortal  souh. 
When  the  preachers  met  from  their  different  and  dis- 
tant fields  of  labor,  they  had  a  feast  of  love  and  friend- 
ship; and  when  they  parted,  they  wept  and  embraced 
each  other  as  brothers  beloved.  Such  was  the  spirit  of 
primitive  Methodist  preachers." 

The  early  pioneer  preachers  were  not  wanting  in 
the  spirit  of  self-denial.  James  B.  Finley  tells  us  of  an 
experience  on  his  circuit  in  Southeastern  Ohio.  He 
learned  of  a  poor  woman  five  miles  distant.  He  went 
to  see  her,  and  on  arriving  found  her  in  an  open  cabin, 
surrounded  by  four  helpless  children,  all  in  the  deepest 
poverty.  Her  husband  had  died,  and  was  buried  in 
the  woods,  a  short  distance  from  the  rude,  unfinished 
cabin  which  he  had  tried  to  rear  for  his  family.  "My 
sympathies,  already  excited  by  the  appearance  of  the 
family,  were  heightened  in  their  intensity  by  the  wid- 
ow's sad  tale  of  woe.  All  the  money  I  had  in  the  world 
was  thirty-seven  and  a  half  cents.  What  to  do  I  knew 
not.  It  occurred  to  me  that  my  thick,  new,  cloth  leg- 
gins,  which  I  wore  over  my  buckskin  pants,  would 
make  the  eldest  son  a  good,  warm  coat;  and  I  was 
about  untying  them,  when  it  was  suggested  that  I 
could  not  possibly  do  without  them;  besides  it  was 
raining  and  cold,  and  I  would  be  much  exposed;  I, 
however,  overcame  the  temptation,  pulled  ofif  the  leg- 
gins,  and  gave  them  to  the  mother,  telling  her  to  make 
a  coat  out  of  them  for  her  son;  and  then^  giving  her 
the  small  sum  of  money,  and  praying  with  the  family, 
I  departed.     I  had  not  gone  a  hundred  yards  from  that 


EXPERIENCES   OF  ITINERANTS.  1 89 

desolate  habitation  till  the  Lord  poured  down  upon  me 
a  blessing,  and  1  shouted  and  traveled  on  in  the  rain. 
As  night  approached  I  reached  the  mouth  of  White- 
water, which  I  crossed,  and  stopped  at  a  tavern.  I 
told  the  tavern-keeper  1  would  like  to  stop  with  him, 
but  had  nothing  to  pay.  He  took  my  horse,  and,  after 
putting  him  in  the  stable,  he  came  in  and  asked  me 
who  I  was.  I  gave  him  my  name  and  vocation.  While 
I  was  drying  my  pants  by  the  fire,  supper  was  an- 
nounced, which  I  ate  with  great  relish.  After  prayers, 
and  conversation  on  a  variety  of  topics,  I  went  to  bed. 
While  sitting  in  the  morning  by  the  fire,  trying  to  rub 
some  pliability  into  my  now  dry  and  hard  leather 
breeches,  the  landlord  came  in  and  presented  me  with 
a  fine  pair  of  new  leggins,  and  a  dollar  in  the  bargain. 
This  kind  act  so  filled  me  with  gratitude  to  God  that 
I  made  the  bar-room  ring  with  shouts  of  praise.  I 
realized  the  truth  of  that  proverb,  'He  that  hath  pity 
on  the  poor,  lendeth  to  the  Lord;  and  he  shall  be  re- 
paid again.'  " 

Such  evangelists  as  these  were  true  patriots  and 
citizen  builders.  They  worked  on  the  hidden  life  of 
men.  They  called  to  penitence,  faith,  and  regener- 
ation, and  incited  men  to  righteousness.  They  dealt 
with  life  more  than  with  habit  itself.  These  silent 
forces  of  Christianity  are  powerful,  and  tell  wonder- 
fully on  human  progress.  They  are  the  springs  which 
feed  modern  civilization,  and  become  the  precursor 
of  a  new  life  for  the  people. 

The  results  of  their  perils  and  labors  are  seen  in  the 
Christian  character  of  multitudes  in  our  day. 

Many  of  us  have  bright  visions  of  these  godly  men 


IQO  OHIO  METHODISM. 

in  connection  with  the  blessed  memories  of  our  child- 
hood homes.  Their  character  and  services  left  a  last- 
ing impression  on  our  minds.  They  brought  the  rich 
gift  of  the  grace  of  God  to  us.  Their  life  touched  ours, 
and  awakened  noble  impulses.  It  was  about  our  fam- 
ily hearthstones  that  they  kindly  admonished  us,  and 
inspired  in  us  a  reverence  for  righteousness  and  a  love 
for  God.  They  gave  us  courage  in  many  a  bitter 
struggle,  and  cheered  us  on  through  difficulties.  The 
young  and  old  of  our  day  need  their  spirit  to  carry 
forward  the  unfinished  tasks  of  these  men  of  God, 
who  might  well  lay  claim  to  kinship  with  the  early 
apostles. 


Chapter  VII. 

Br^amjaftona  of  mBfljnlitatn, 


lyl 


"(Sf^ETHODISM  is  simply  earnestness  organized  for  Christ;  and 
'^  what  could  stand  before  a  holy  consuming  zeal,  which  con- 
templates a  single  all-comprehending  object,  and  for  its  sake  counts 
all  things  but  as  nothing,  gladly  making  one  grand  holocaust  of 
time,  talents,  influence,  fortune,  fame,  health,  and  even  life  itself, 
to  accomplish  it  ?  The  instrumentalities  of  Methodism  were  born 
of  this  very  spirit,  and  are  wonderfully  adapted  to  their  purpose. 
To  know  them  is  to  admire  them,  and  to  be  penetrated  with  enthu- 
siasm and  hope  in  respect  to  them." — -J.  M.  Reid. 

"^iF  we  believe  that  Methodism  has  been  wonderfully  honored  of 
^  God  in  advancing  his  kingdom,  and  with  God's  blessing  is 
now  performing  a  part  unequaled  by  any  other  religious  body  in 
evangelizing  and  saving  the  world,  these  are  all-sufficient  reasons 
for  our  existence  as  a  distinct  denomination.  These  are  reasons, 
too,  why  Methodism  should  be  made  to  do  her  best.  Let  Method- 
ism be  more  thorouglily  and  zealously  worked.  Improve  it,  we 
should,  if  we  can  ;  but,  at  all  events,  work  it !  work  it !  Let  every 
Methodist  work  Methodism," — Dorchester. 

"(^^^E  must  see  Methodism  in  the  mustard-seed  stage  of  its  devel- 
*^^   opment;  we  must  detect  the  place  of  the  hiding  of  God's 
power;    we  must  see  in  action  the  agencies  employed,  and  follow 
out  causes  to  their  practical  results." — Moore. 

192 


CHAPTER  VII. 

METHODISM  is  organized  Christian  energy. 
This  is  an  age  of  organization,  when  men  co- 
operate and  work  together  on  a  large  scale.  It  is  like- 
wise the  natural  outcome  of  the  Spirit  of  our  Lord. 
Organized  Christianity  enhances  and  strengthens  each 
individual  unit,  and  makes  the  composite  whole  an 
avalanche  of  power  for  the  uplifting  of  humanity.  No 
worker  can  be  at  his  best  without  combining  and  co- 
operating with  fellow-Christians  in  using  modern 
methods  and  improvements  for  waging  war  on  all 
forms  of  sin,  and  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  kingdom 
of  God. 

Methodism  in  Ohio  has  been  fruitful  in  originating 
and  projecting  great  and  wide-reaching  Christian  and 
philanthropic  organizations.  These  were  not  born  of 
sentiment,  but  were  forced  into  being  by  the  great  needs 
of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  On  Ohio  soil,  consecrated 
by  noble  and  pious  Christians,  sprang  into  existence 
the  Missionary  Society,  the  Freedmen's  Aid  Society, 
the  Epworth  League,  the  National  City  Evangelical 
Association,  the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society, 
the  Christian  Temperance  Union,  the  Chautauqua 
]\Iovement,  and  several  other  great  enterprises  that 
have  girdled  the  globe  with  their  influence.  Each  So- 
ciety mentioned  above  is  a  child  of  Providence,  "born 
not  of  human  suggestions,  but  of  Divine  indication," 

The  fact  that  these  organizations  took  their  initial 
step  in  Ohio,  and  found  support  and  encouragement 
13  193 


194  OHIO  METHODISM. 

in  the  great  heart  of  the  Church,  shows  that  here  were 
great  forces  at  work  for  the  betterment  of  the  world. 
The  Methodist  Church  in  Ohio,  having  a  strong  and 
noble  ancestry,  planted  in  a  fertile  section  of  the  coun- 
try, with  prolific  resources,  furnished  the  conditions 
essential  to  organize  Christian  effort  on  a  great  scale. 

The  geneses  of  some  of  these  noble  benevolent 
movements  of  the  Church  are  inspiring,  and  possess 
historic  value. 

The  first  regular  missionary  work  done  by  the 
Methodist  Church  in  this  country  was  started  in  Ohio 
in  1816,  by  John  Stewart,  a  colored  man.  His  evan- 
gelistic work  among  the  Wyandot  Indians  was  the 
inspiring  cause  of  the  organization  of  the  Missionary 
Society.  Stewart  was  converted  under  the  preaching 
of  Marcus  Lindsey  in  Marietta.  ''Soon  after  I  em- 
braced religion,"  he  says,  "I  went  out  into  the  fields 
to  pray.  It  seemed  to  me  that  I  heard  a  voice  like 
the  voice  of  a  woman  praising  God;  and  then  another 
as  the  voice  of  a  man,  saving  to  me,  'You  must  declare 
my  counsel  faithfully.'  These  voices  ran  through  me 
powerfully.  They  seemed  to  come  from  a  northwest 
direction.  I  soon  found  myself  standing  on  my  feet, 
and  speaking  as  if  I  was  addressing  a  congregation." 
He  set  out  with  the  conviction  of  a  Divine  call,  and 
went  toward  the  northwest,  following  in  the  direction 
from  which  the  voices  seemed  to  proceed.  He  arrived 
at  Goshen,  where  he  found  the  Delaware  Indians. 
He  preached  and  sang  to  them  songs  of  Zion.  From 
here  he  went  to  Upper  Sandusky,  and  in  an  artless 
manner  began  to  preach,  through  an  interpreter,  to 
the  Wyandot  Indians.    The  first  sermon  was  delivered 


ORGANIZATIONS   OF  METHODISM.  1 95 

to  one  old  squaw.  The  next  day  his  congregation 
numbered  two,  and  the  third  day  eight  or  ten  attended 
the  services.  Within  a  short  time  crowds  came  to  hear 
him,  and  many  notable  conversions  followed.  The 
evangelistic  success  of  Stewart  awakened  deep  interest 
throughout  the  country,  and  revealed  to  the  Church 
an  opportunity  to  extend  the  work  of  salvation  among 
the  heathen. 

Stewart  labored  among  the  Wyandots  for  three 
months,  with  uninterrupted  success  and  joy.  "At  the 
end  of  this  period  he  left  for  Marietta,  preaching  a  fare- 
well sermon  amid  many  tears,  and  promising  his  chil- 
dren in  the  gospel  to  come  back  when  the  corn  should 
shoot."'  In  ^larch,  1819,  the  Quarterly  Conference 
at  Urbana,  Ohio,  granted  Stewart  a  license  to  preach. 
On  the  17th  of  December,  1823,  he  died  in  great 
peace,  having  given  seven  years  of  service  as  a 
preacher  of  the  gospel.  "The  good  work  of  this  hum- 
ble man,  a  chosen  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God, 
shall  never  be  forgotten;  and  when  this  world  shall 
be  emancipated  from  heathenism  he  will  be  more  re- 
vered than  ever."  Others  heard  of  this  work,  and 
were  moved  to  help  Stewart  in  his  work  of  love. 
Among  the  number  was  Miss  Harriet  Stubbs,  who 
left  her  home  and  joined  Stewart  in  the  work  for  the 
redemption  of  these  savages.  "She  possessed  more 
courage  and  fortitude,"  says  J.  B.  Finley,  ^'than  any 
one  of  her  age  and  sex  that  I  have  ever  been  ac- 
quainted with.  In  a  short  time  the  intrepid  female 
missionary  was  the  idol  of  the  whole  nation.  They 
looked  up  to  her  as  an  angel  messenger  sent  from  the 
spirit  land  to  teach  them  the  way  to  heaven." 


196  OHIO  METHODISM. 

In  August,  1819,  the  Ohio  Conference  appointed 
Rev.  James  B.  Finley  to  Lebanon  District,  in  which 
this  field  was  located.  Some  excellent  quarterly-meet- 
ings were  held  during  this  year,  in  which  the  Indian 
converts  participated  with  profound  reverence  and 
gratitude.  The  Wyandot  converts  were  so  deeply 
interested  in  the  work  among  their  own  people  that 
they  sent  a  delegation  of  Christians  to  attend  the  Ohio 
Conference  at  Chillicotlie,  in  1820,  to  petition  for  a 
missionary  to  be  sent  them.  Moses  Henkle,  not  yet 
ordained  a  deacon,  was  appointed  to  serve  them, 
which  he  did,  and  labored  successfully  for  one  year. 
Afterward,  Rev.  James  B.  Finley  took  up  the  work, 
and  succeeded  in  forming  a  class  among  the  Wyandots, 
composed  of  twenty-three  persons.  He  labored  ear- 
nestly to  build  up  the  Church,  and  likewise  taught 
them  agricultural  and  industrial  pursuits.  He  helped 
to  erect  a  sawmill,  schoolhouse,  and  mission-house, 
and  taught  them  many  useful  arts. 

The  Ohio  Conference,  in  1823,  instructed  Mr.  Fin- 
ley to  inquire  into  the  practicability  of  establishing  a 
mission  among  the  Chippew^as,  on  Saginaw  River, 
Michigan.  The  following  December  he  started  on  a 
tour  of  inspection,  in  company  with  three  Wyandot 
Indians.  The  work  was  so  promising  that  Rev. 
Charles  Elliott  was  appointed  assistant  to  Mr.  Fin- 
ley, with  a  view  of  extending  labor  to  the  Wyan- 
dots on  Huron  River,  and  to  the  Canara,  Upper 
Canada.  Here  they  formed  a  class  of  fifteen,  to  which 
twenty-seven  were  added  during  the  year,  and  the 
entire  mission  then  numbered  two  hundred  and  sixty. 
Missions  were  established  at  various  points  among 


ORGANIZATIONS   OF  METHODISM. 


197 


the  Indians,  and  continued  to  grow  under  such  men 
as  Finlcy,  Elhott,  and  Gilruth.  The  news  of  this 
mission  work  spread,  and  great  interest  was  aroused 
throuijhout  the  Church.     The  Missionary  Society  was 


-MISS  ISABELLA  THOBURN. 

organized  April  5,  1819.  The  aggregate  financial 
resuhs  for  the  first  year  were  $823.64.  From  these 
small  beginnings  the  Missionary  Society  has  continued 
to  expand,  and  now  a  network  of  missions  is  spread 
throughout  the  world.     The  Society  counts  her  con- 


198  OHIO  METHODISM. 

verts  by  tlie  hundreds  of  thousands,  and  in  1897  the 
receipts  of  the  Society  were  $1,131,940.  Of  this 
amount,  the  Churches  of  Oliio  contributed  nearly 
$100,000. 

Ohio,  as  has  been  seen,  is  the  leader  in  the  mis- 
sionary work  of  the  j^Jethodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Every  foreign  missionary  field  has  representatives 
from  among"  her  noble  sons  and  daughters.  Rev. 
William  Goodfellow,  the  first  superintendent  of  mis- 
sions in  South  America,  came  from  Ohio,  and  the 
present  superintendent,  Dr.  C.  W.  Drees,  is  from 
Xenia.  Miss  Isabella  Thoburn,  a  sister  of  Bishop 
Thoburn,  was  the  first  woman  sent  out  as  a  foreign 
missionary  under  the  auspices  of  the  \\"oman's  Foreign 
Missionary  Society.  One  of  the  most  remarkable 
missionaries  is  Alary  Reed,  an  Ohio  woman,  who 
to-day  is  a  missionary  to  the  lepers  in  an  asylum  on 
the  Himalayas. 

Through  the  influence  of  Dr.  Adam  Poe,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Ohio  Conference,  William  Nast,  the 
''Father  of  German  ^Methodism,"  an  educated  young 
German,  then  living  in  Cincinnati,  was  led  into  the 
pulpit,  and  became  a  missionary  in  the  same  city. 
Under  his  preaching.  Dr.  Jacoby  was  awakened  and 
converted,  and  in  1849  was  sent  to  Germany,  to  begin 
evangelistic  work  among  his  countrymen.  The  result 
of  his  labor  was  the  foundation  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  that  country.  The  membership  is 
now  counted  by  the  thousands,  and  the  good  work 
goes  forward  encouragingly. 

The  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  with  its  hundreds 
of  students,  is  the  center  of  missionary  intelligence 


ORGAaMZATIONS   of  METHODISM. 


IQQ 


and  enthusiasm.  More  missionaries  have  .q-one  forth 
from  her  halls  of  learnini>-  into  foreign  countries  than 
from  any  other  college  in  Methodism. 

Another  great  institution  of  a  charitable  nature 
is  the  Freedmen's  Aid  and  Southern  Education  Soci- 


BISHOP  D.  W.  CLARK. 


ety,  which  was  org-anized  in  Cincinnati,  August  7, 
1866.  Bishop  D.  W.  Clark  and  Dr.  J.  M.  ivalden 
(now  bishop)  were  the  first  to  move  in  the  organiza- 
tion. The  former  had  rendered  special  services  to  the 
Southern  work  of  the  Church,  while  the  latter  was 


200  OHIO   METHODISM. 

corresponding  sccretan-  of  the  Frecdmcn's  Aid  Com- 
mission^  which  was  an  undenominational  organization. 
The  separate  organization  now  projected  was  designed 
to  meet  the  constant  and  pressing  demand  for  schools 
to  educate  the  Freedmen.  The  General  Conference 
of  1868  gave  a  fresh  impulse  to  the  work  by  sanction- 
ing its  organization,  and  commending  it  to  the  liberal 
support  of  the  people.  Four  years  later  the  General 
Conference  adopted  the  Society  as  its  own. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Society  nearly  $4,500,- 
000  have  been  expended,  and  there  have  been  nearly 
fifty  schools  of  high  grade  established  in  various  cen- 
ters of  the  Southern  States,  with  a  total  value  of 
property  amounting  to  $2,000,000.  More  than  one 
hundred  thousand  students  have  been  sent  out  from 
these  halls  of  learning  to  lead  lives  of  honor  and  use- 
fulness. Their  education  and  success  place  them  in 
the  front  rank  of  Christian  leaders  and  messengers 
of  a  better  and  higher  civilization. 

The  Tvlethodist  Church  has  likewise  been  closely 
identified  with  the  cause  of  temperance.  The  Church 
at  the  beginning  forbade  "drunkenness,  buying  and 
selling  spirituous  liquors,  or  drinking  them,  unless  in 
case  of  extreme  necessity.''  Bishop  Asbury,  speaking 
of  the  liquor-trafific,  said:  ''This  is  the  prime  curse  of 
these  United  States,  and  will  be,  I  fear  much,  the  ruin 
of  all  that  is  excellent  in  morals  and  government  in 
them.     Lord,  interpose  thine  arm!" 

James  Axley  and  J.  B.  Finley  were  among  the 
most  eminent  pioneer  ministers  of  Ohio  who  became 
the  foremost  opponents  of  the  liquor-traffic.  They 
took  a  firm  and  outspoken  stand  on  the  question  that 


OKGAXIZATIO.WS   OF  METHODISM.  20I 

was  SO  destructive  to  the  morals  of  society.  The 
earnest  and  forcil^le  appeals  of  the  Methodist  preachers 
aroused  opposition  and  obloquy,  but  furthered  the 
temperance  cause.  J.  B.  Finlcy  relates  his  temper- 
ance experience^  in  the  year  1811,  at  Dillon's  Iron 
i\lills,  six  miles  from  Zanesville.     He  says: 

"One  of  the  greatest,  if  not  indeed  the  greatest, 
sources  of  wickedness  and  misery  resulted  from  the 
manufacture,  sale,  and  use  of  intoxicating  liquor;  and 
the  evil,  lamentable  to  be  told,  existed  in  the  Church 
as  well  as  elsewhere.  Ardent  spirits  were  used  as  a 
preventive  of  disease.  It  was  also  regarded  as  a  neces- 
sary beverage.  A  house  could  not  be  raised,  a  field 
of  wheat  cut  dow-n,  nor  could  there  be  a  log-rolling, 
a  husking,  a  quilting,  a  w^edding,  or  a  funeral,  without 
the  aid  of  alcohol.  In  this  state  of  things  there  was 
great  laxity  on  the  subject  of  drinking,  and  the  min- 
isters as  w^cll  as  the  members  of  some  denominations 
imbibed  pretty  freely.  The  only  temperance  society 
that  then  existed,  and,  consequently,  the  only  standard 
raised  against  the  overflowing  scourge  of  intemper- 
ance, was  the  ^Methodist  Church.  The  General  Rules 
of  the  society  prohibited  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks 
as  a  beverage,  and  only  allowed  their  use  w^hen  pre- 
scribed as  a  medicine  by  a  physician.  No  other  de- 
nomination having  prohibited  the  use  of  ardent  spirits 
as  a  beverage,  it  follov^^ed,  as  a  necessary  consequence, 
that  all  persons  wdio  refused  to  drink  were  called,  by 
way  of  reproach.  ^Methodist  fanatics.  But  few  came 
out  publicly  against  this  monster  evil,  and  manufac- 
turers, venders,  and  users  w^ere  out  against  the  Church. 
I  often  met  with  opposition  for  my  advocacy  of  the 


202  OHIO   METHODISM. 

cause  of  temperance.  On  my  first  round  I  was  taken 
into  a  room  at  one  of  my  stopping-places  where  there 
was  a  ten-gallon  keg.  I  asked  my  host,  who  was  said 
to  be  a  pious  man,  what  the  keg  contained,  and  he  re- 
plied that  it  was  whisky,  and  that  he  had  procured  it 
for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  barn  with  it.  I  asked  him 
if  he  did  not  know  that  this  drink  was  the  worst  enemy 
of  man,  and  that  it  might  occasion  the  death  of  some 
person,  and  be  the  cause  of  a  great  deal  of  swearing, 
and,  perhaps,  fighting.  I  further  asked  him  if  he  did 
not  know  that  God  had  pronounced  a  curse  against  the 
man  who  putteth  the  bottle  to  his  neighl)or's  mouth, 
and  maketh  him  drunken.  At  this  he  became  excited, 
and  angrily  said,  There  is  no  law  against  using 
whisky,  and  I  '11  do  as  I  please.' 

"  'Very  well,'  said  I,  'it  is  a  poor  rule  that  won't 
work  both  ways.  If  you  do  as  you  please,  I  wall  do 
as  I  please;  and  unless  you  take  that  keg  out  of  this 
room  I  will  leave  the  house ;  for  I  would  rather  lie  out 
in  the  w^oods  than  to  sleep  in  a  ^Methodist  house  with 
a  ten-gallon  keg  of  whisky  for  my  room-mate.'  I 
furthermore  said,  'Now,  sir,  if  anything  transpires  at 
your  barn-raising  of  an  immoral  nature,  through  the 
use  of  that  infernal  stufT,  I  will  turn  you  out  of  the 
Church.' 

"He  refused  to  move  the  keg,  and  I  took  my  horse 
and  went  to  another  place.  Encouraged  in  my  efforts 
to  promote  the  cause  of  temperance,  I  suffered  no 
opportunity  to  pass  that  I  did  not  improve  in  por- 
traying the  physical,  social,  and  moral  evils  resulting 
from  intemperance.  I  dwelt  particularly  upon  its  sad 
and  ruinous  effects  in  a  religious  point  of  view,  and 


ORGANIZATIONS   OF  METHODISM.  203 

made  strong*  appeals  to  the  religion  and  patriotism 
of  my  congregation.  Frequently  1  would  pledge 
whole  congregations,  standing  upon  their  feet,  to  the 
temperance  cause;  and  during  my  rounds  I  am  certain 
the  better  portion  of  the  entire  communit}'  became  the 
friends  and  advocates  of  temperance,  and  on  this  cir- 
cuit alone,  at  least  one  thousand  had  solemnly  taken 
the  pledge  of  total  abstinence.  This  was  before  tem- 
perance societies  were  heard  of  in  this  country.  It 
was  simply  the  carrying  out  of  the  ^Methodist  Disci- 
pline on  the  subject.  Aly  efforts,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
awakened  the  ire  and  indignation  of  the  makers  and 
venders  of  the  ardent,  and  their  curses  were  heaped 
on  me  in  profusion.  They  would  gladly  have  driven 
me  from  the  country  if  they  could,  but  this  w^as  be- 
yond their  power." 

If  such  a  temperance  spirit  characterized  all  the 
ministry,  the  saloon  would  soon  be  abolished. 

The  greatest  temperance  movement  of  modern 
times  is  the  American  Anti-saloon  League,  inaugu- 
rated by  Rev.  H.  H.  Russell,  D.  D.,  the  Wendell 
Phillips  of  temperance  reform.  It  had  its  beginning 
in  Ohio.  It  is  omni-partisan  and  interdenominational, 
but  the  heartiest  response  to  the  movement  is  found 
in  the  Methodist  Clnirch. 

The  Methodist  Church  has  always  acknowledged 
and  encouraged  the  influence  and  power  of  women  for 
the  uplifting  and  purifying  of  the  race.  The  organiza- 
tions of  women  for  foreign  and  home  missions,  for 
temperance,  and  almost  every  phase  of  moral  reform, 
have  greatly  developed  her  power. 

The  desire  of  Methodist  women  for  Christian  use- 


204  OHIO  METHODISM. 

fulness  has  not  been  restrained  by  the  conventionalities 
and  prejudices  of  society.  The  authorities  of  the 
Church  have  extended  to  them  a  welcome  in  the  work 
of  social  reform  and  Christian  service.  No  one  need 
wonder,  then,  that  jMethodist  women  are  among  the 
foremost  leaders  and  ablest  advocates  of  moral  reforms 
and  aggressive  Christian  movements.  Their  conscious 
power  is  not  born  of  ambition,  but  inspired  by  faith, 
meekness,  humility,  and  a  zeal  for  usefulness.  The 
outgrowth  of  woman's  religious  impulses  and  inspira- 
tion has  resulted  in  organizations  of  world-wide  influ- 
ence and  power  for  good. 

The  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  one 
of  the  grandest  reformatory  movements  of  the  age, 
had  its  origin  in  Ohio,  the  birthplace  of  so  many  grand 
ideas.  Through  the  influence  of  the  famous  lecturer, 
Dio  Lewis,  the  Woman's  Temperance  Crusade  began 
in  Ilillsboro,  December  2^,  1873,  and  swept  over  the 
great  State  of  Ohio.  Mrs.  Eliza  J.  Thompson,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Alethodist  Church,  was  chosen  to  lead  the 
first  band  of  women  on  its  first  visit  to  a  saloon.  On 
the  24th  of  December  this  band  slowly  and  timidly 
approached  the  saloon  of  Robert  Ward,  and,  after 
appealing  to  him  in  a  few  earnest  words,  the  heroic 
women  bowed  together,  and  the  leader  offered  a 
prayer  that  touched  all  hearts.  "The  scene  that  fol- 
lowed," says  Miss  Wlllard,  "was  one  fit  for  a  painter 
or  a  poet,  so  beautifully  was  the  spirit  of  our  holy 
religion  portrayed.  Poor  wives  and  mothers,  who, 
the  day  before,  would  have  crossed  the  street  rather 
than  walk  by  a  place  so  identified  with  the  woes  and 
heartaches   of  the   'lost   Eden,'   were   now   in   tearful 


ORGANIZATIONS  OF  METHODISM. 


205 


pathos  pleading  with  the  deluded  'brother'  to  accept 
the  world's  Redeemer  as  his  own." 

On  December  24th,  Dio  Lewis  had  likewise  lec- 


ELIZA  J.  THOMPSON. 


tured,  and  aroused  the  good  women  of  Washington 
C.  H.  to  inaugurate  a  like  crusade  against  the  saloon. 
Two  days  after,  lifty-two  women,  with  Mrs.  George 


2o6  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Carpenter  as  the  central  fignre  in  the  marvelous  pic- 
ture, started  forth  on  their  errand  of  mercy.  ''Here, 
as  in  every  place,  they  entered  singing,  every  woman 
taking  up  the  sacred  strain  as  she  crossed  the 
threshold.  This  was  followed  by  the  reading  of  the 
a])peal  and  prayer,  and  earnest  pleading  to  desist  from 
this  soul-destroying  traffic,  and  to  sign  the  dealer's 
pledge."  While  the  women,  with  trembling  feet  and 
tearful  eyes,  went  from  place  to  place  and  pleaded  their 
cause,  some  good  Christian  men  would  remain  in  the 
Church  and  pray  for  the  workers.  The  interest  in  the 
mission  of  these  women  increased  rapidly,  and  soon 
created  the  wildest  excitement.  Monday,  December 
29th,  the  workers  had  increased  to  nearly  one  hundred 
women,  and  on  this  day  the  first  liquor-dealer  yielded 
to  their  prayers  and  entreaties,  and  turned  over  his 
stock  of  liquors  to  them.  "Nearly  one  thousand  men, 
women,  and  children  witnessed  the  mingling  of  beer, 
ale,  wine,  and  whisky  as  they  filled  the  gutters  and 
were  drunk  up  by  the  earth,  while  bells  were  ringing, 
men  and  boys  shouting,  w^omen  singing  and  praying 
to  God,  who  had  given  the  victory."  This  campaign 
of  prayer  and  song  lasted  eight  days,  when  the  eleven 
saloons  of  the  town  were  all  closed.  This  new  move- 
ment attracted  the  attention  of  the  press  of  surround- 
ing towns  and  cities. 

The  temperance  flame  enkindled,  spread  like  wild 
prairie-fire  throughout  Ohio  and  into  other  States. 
The  outgrowth  of  this  great  awakening  was  the  organ- 
ization of  many  independent  temperance  leagues.  The 
grand  and  good  women  saw  that  the  temperance  cause 
needed  the  united  effort  of  all  the  women  of  the  coun- 


ORGANIZATIONS   OF  JirETHODISM.  207 

try.  Mrs.  Mattic  McClcllan  Brown,  of  Alliance,  sug- 
gested the  idea  of  forming  a  Temperance  Union.  The 
idea  was  accepted,  and  a  National  Convention  was 
called,  to  meet  in  Cleveland,  November  18,  19,  and 
20,  1874.  State  Conventions  were  held,  and  delegates 
appointed.  The  Convention  proved  a  grand  success, 
and  the  organization  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Tem- 
perance Union  was  effected.  Mrs.  Annie  Witten- 
myer,  who  was  born  of  Methodist  parentage  and 
educated  in  Ohio,  was  chosen  president;  ]^.Irs.  Mary 
Bigelow  Ingham,  a  prominent  Methodist  of  Cleveland, 
treasurer.  Mrs.  L.  D.  JMcCabe,  of  Delaware,  Ohio, 
prepared  the  Constittition,  and  Airs.  Charles  Little,  of 
the  same  city,  suggested  the  name.  The  declaration  of 
principles,  the  plans  of  organization,  the  appeal  to  the 
women  of  the  country,  placed  this  movement  in  the 
vanguard  of  temperance  reform.  The  Union,  with  its 
mighty  army  of  women,  now  encircles  the  globe  with 
faith  and  work. 

One  of  the  rare  Ohio  daughters  of  Methodist  par- 
entage was  i\Irs.  Lucy  Webb  Hayes,  a  woman  of 
exceptional  ability,  solid  worth,  and  a  symmetrical 
Christian  character.  To  her  is  due  the  honor  of  ban- 
ishing from  the  White  House,  during  her  residence  in 
it,  all  intoxicating  liquors.  Americans  delight  to 
honor  the  memory  of  this  noble  woman,  who  had  the 
courage  of  her  convictions. 

The  veteran  temperance  worker  and  inspirer  of  the 
British  W^oman's  Association  is  ^Mrs.  Eliza  D.  Stewart, 
known  the  world  over  as  "Mother  Stewart."  She  is 
a  native  of  Ohio,  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  in  Springfield.     She  ranks  among  the  repre- 


208 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


sentative  women  of  reform.  For  many  years  she  has 
given  her  voice  and  pen  to  organizing  and  rallying 
the  forces  of  temperance.  Her  effective  services  in 
this  country  opened  a  door  to  Great  Britain.  *'The 
English  say  few  women  ever  visited  their  homes  who 
received  the  attention  paid  to  Mother  Stewart,  the 
Crusader,  throwing  all  her  enthusiastic  nature  into  her 
work.     She  attracted  great  throngs  to  her  meetings, 


LLl\    W  L    L  11A\L- 


and  instilled  a  new  spirit  into  the  stanch  workers 
over  there.  The  result  of  her  meetings  was  the  forma- 
tion of  the  British  Woman's  Temperance  Association, 
which  is  wielding  a  blessed  influence  among  all  classes 
in  that  country." 

One  of  the  great  benevolent  organizations  that 
seeks  the  social,  moral,  and  spiritual  elevation  of  the 
people  is  the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society.  It 
was  formally  organized  in  Cincinnati,  July  lo,  1880. 


ORGANIZATIONS  OF  METHODISM.  2og 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  L.  Rust  was  the  pioneer  of  the  enter- 
prise. The  first  AuxiHary  was  organized  at  St.  Paul's 
Church,  Delaware,  Ohio,  on  July  27,  1880.  This 
Society  has  gone  on  expanding  with  remarkable 
power,  and  is  recognized  by  all  the  Church  authorities 
as  one  of  the  aggressive  movements  of  Methodism. 
It  maintains  Industrial  Schools  and  model  Homes  for 
the  neglected  and  needy  in  the  South  and  West,  and 
'^provides  a  Christian  welcome  and  a  safe  protection 
for  the  immigrant  girl  as  she  arrives  upon  our  shores 
from  her  European  home." 

The  Society  has  a  constituency  of  about  fifty  thou- 
sand women  of  the  Church,  and  had  gathered  and  dis- 
tributed, down  to  1897,  the  sum  of  $2,175,793.23.  The 
Society  had,  in  1897,  eighty-five  missionaries  in  the 
field,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  deaconesses  in 
the  Homes,  thirteen  schools  for  academic  work,  four 
Homes  for  the  reception  of  immigrants,  and  twenty- 
four  Homes  for  deaconesses,  besides  other  charitable 
work.  Two  thousand  young  girls  have  been  in  train- 
ing in  the  Southern  Homes,  and  eight  thousand  pupils 
have  been  taught  in  the  schools.  These  external  signs 
of  prosperity  give  no  adequate  conception  of  the  great 
labor  in  character-building  among  the  large  class  of 
needy  people.  Mrs.  R.  B.  Hayes  was  chosen  the  first 
])resident,  and  for  nearly  ten  years  she  honored  the 
position. 

One  of  the  noble  Christian  organizations  of  Ohio 
Methodism  is  the  Glenn  Industrial  Home  and  Train- 
ing-school, of  Cincinnati,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society.  The  Home  has 
a  handsome  four-story,  brown-stone  residence,  con- 
14 


2IO  OHIO  METHODISM. 

taining  fifteen  rooms.  It  was  l)ought  in  April,  and 
opened  in  May,  1891. 

"Its  object  is  to  promote  Cln-isiian  instruction  and 
charity,  employing  all  agencies  that  may  be  found 
practicable  to  that  end. 

*'i.  It  aims  to  furnish  instruction  in  domestic  in- 
dustries and   kindergarten   and   kitchengarden   work. 

*'2.  To  provide  for  Mothers'  Meetings  and  Read- 
ing Circles  for  youth,  and  employment  for  those  need- 
ing assistance. 

"3.  To  furnish  missionary  candidates  with  efficient 
training  in  the  best  methods  of  reaching  and  winning 
the  confidence  of  the  people  who  need  help,  wdiether 
in  our  own  city  or  in  more  distant  fields.  These  candi- 
dates study  methods  under  the  guidance  of  experi- 
enced workers  and  teachers,  the  city  furnishing  the 
object-lesson  and  practice. 

'*4.  To  provide  a  home  for  missionary  workers  of 
the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society  while  labor- 
ing in  Cincinnati  or  its  suburbs. 

''5.  To  furnish  a  depository  for  clothing,  delicacies 
for  the  sick,  and  such  other  supplies  as  may  be  needed 
for  the  successful  conduct  of  the  work  of  the  Home, 
and  of  the  branch  missions  that  may  be  sustained  in 
other  parts  of  the  city,  under  the  care  of  the  workers 
residing  in  the  Home." 

Several  missionary  workers  are  employed,  and  sev- 
eral hundred  of  the  voung  are  being  taught  a  variety 
of  practical  industries.  The  School  of  Domestic  Sci- 
ence, inaugurated  by  this  Society,  gives  instruction  in 
"the  chemistry  of  food,  the  laws  of  health  in  its  prepa- 
ration, and  the  most  economical  and  wholesome  arti- 


ORGANIZATIOXS  OF  METHODISM.  211 

cles  of  diet  to  provide  for  a  family."  Good  cooking  is 
regarded  not  only  as  a  fine  art,  but  as  a  moral  obliga- 
tion. This  society  has  been  instrumental  in  a  few 
cases  in  placing  cooking  in  the  course  of  study  in  our 
public  schools.  This  deserves  praise  and  practical 
co-operation. 

The  deaconess  movement  has  found  a  hearty  re- 
sponse in  the  Methodist  Churches  of  Ohio.  The 
Cleveland  Deaconess  Home  had,  in  1897,  property  val- 
ued at  $10,000,  and,  with  twelve  deaconesses,  was 
doing  an  excellent  work.  The  Elizabeth  Gamble  Dea- 
coness Home  Association,  located  in  Cincinnati,  had, 
in  1897,  property  valued  at  $150^00,  and  at  least  fifty 
deaconesses  and  probationers.  H.  C.  Weakley,  of  the 
Cincinnati  Conference,  is  the  Corresponding  Secretary. 
These  Homes  are  for  the  weary  deaconess,  who,  ''often 
overstrained  by  visiting  scenes  of  degradation,  want, 
and  woe,  relax  their  nervous  tension  in  its  sweet,  spir- 
itual atmosphere,  and  to  the  superintendent  of  the 
Home  she  takes  her  cares  and  difficulties,  receiving 
sympathy,  encouragement,  and  wise  counsel. 

"As  night  settles  down,  a  feeling  of  peace  and  hope- 
fulness again  fills  her  heart.  She  looks  forw^ard  with 
pleasure  to  the  morrow,  when  she  will  go  again  to  the 
whitened  fields — to  reap  in  joy. 

"The  visiting  deaconess,  as  a  Church  worker,  is 
without  a  peer.  She  goes  from  palace  to  hovel  in 
parish  visitation;  encourages  weak  Christians,  gathers 
the  little  ones  into  the  Sunday-school;  visits  homes 
where  sickness  and  death  have  entered;  and  becomes 
a  tender,  helpful  friend  whenever  earthly  burdens  gall 
or  hearts  grow  faint. 


212  OHIO  METHODISM. 

^'Christ's  Hospital,  under  the  management  of  the 
Elizabeth  Gamble  Deaconess  Home  Association,  has 
become  a  powerful  preacher  of  the  gospel  of  humanity. 

''The  nurse  deaconess,  rich  in  her  dower  of  youth, 
trained  skill,  and  consecration  to  the  Master's  service, 
comes  into  the  hospital  ward  a  ministering  angel, 
although  in  human  form. 

"Striving  ever  to  make  her  life  a  living  beatitude, 
and  keeping  fresh  and  pure  the  white  flower  of  her 
soul,  she  brings  into  the  room  of  pain  the  patience, 
the  tenderness  and  pitying  love  of  Christ.  With 
trained  skill  she  ministers  to  the  pain-worn  bodies, 
yet  keeping  ever  in  mind  that  hers  is  the  privilege  to 
lay  at  the  feet  of  the  Great  Physican  those  suffering 
from  that  graver  malady — the  sin-sick  soul, 

"With  the  gathering  of  the  evening  shadows,  words 
of  prayer  and  songs  of  praise  are  heard  in  the  hos- 
pital. The  patients  learn  to  look  forward  to  this  hour 
with  pleasure,  saying  that  they  'sleep  better'  because 
of  the  words  of  consolation  and  trust,  and  many  souls 
have  gone  out  from  Christ's  Hospital  into  a  life  of 
higher  aims,  of  purer  living,  and  holier  being. 

"  '  What  healing  touch  He  gives  to  them 
Who  use  it  in  His  name ! 
The  power  that  filled  His  garments'  hem, 
Is  evermore  the  same.'" 

This  movement  is  likewise  appealing  to  the  masses 
through  its  industrial  schools  and  the  kindergarten, 
where  the  children  crowded  together  in  the  large 
cities  are  taught  in  useful  arts  and  given  instruction 
in  all  that  goes  to  develop  Christian  citizenship. 


214  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Ohio  has  the  honor  of  being  the  birthplace  of  the 
Epworth  League.  It  was  organized  in  Cleveland, 
May  5,  1889,  and  received  the  formal  indorsement  of 
the  General  Conference  in  1892.  The  Epworth 
League  was  formed  by  the  union  of  five  societies. 
This  uniform  organization  of  young  people  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  aims  to  combine  the  in- 
tellectual, social,  and  religious  elements  in  their  de- 
velopment. The  beautiful  Epworth  Memorial  Church 
of  Cleveland  now  commemorates  the  birthplace  of  this 
powerful  organization. 

The  growth  of  the  Epworth  League  has  been  re- 
markable. There  were,  in  1897,  eighteen  thousand 
regular  and  nearly  six  thousand  Junior  Chapters,  and 
more  than  1,650,000  members.  Ohio  alone  had  for 
the  same  year  1,808  regular  Chapters  and  583  Junior 
Chapters.  Ohio  has  the  largest  number  of  Leagues  of 
any  State  in  the  Union.  This  is  about  one-tenth  of  the 
whole  number  of  Leagues  formed,  and,  allowing  the 
Ohio  Leagues  one-tenth  of  the  membership,  would 
give  165,000  members. 

The  pivotal  question  before  the  Christian  Churches 
is  the  evangelization  of  the  cities.  In  1891  a  long 
step  in  advance  was  taken  for  Methodism,  when 
Horace  Benton,  of  Cleveland,  a  zealous  Methodist 
layman,  conceived  the  idea  of  bringing  the  Methodist 
Evangelical  Unions  in  the  large  cities  into  fraternal 
relations,  and  forming  what  is  now  known  as  the 
National  City  Evangelical  LTnion.  The  grave  prob- 
lems discussed,  and  the  important  questions  consid- 
ered in  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Union  have  led 
to  the  strengthening  and  helping  of  the  several  local 


215 


2l6  OHIO   METHODISM. 

organizations.  It  likewise  places  the  city  mission  de- 
partments of  Church  work  under  wise  and  competent 
supervision. 

The  amount  of  money  raised  in  twenty-seven  cities 
of  this  Unio-n  for  1897  was  $201,840.14.  Three  Ohio 
cities  reported  as  follows: 

Cincinnati, c . .  „$l  1,764  00 

Cleveland,    . „ .  .      5,292  26 

Columbus, .0 1,100  00 

Making  a  total  of .  .  . , .  .$18,156  26 

This  organization  is  awakening  a  deeper  interest  in 
the  evangelization  of  cities,  and  is  uniting  the  Churches 
for  more  aggressive  work. 

The  Chautauqua  movement  found  its  original  im- 
petus on  Ohio  soil.  In  1874,  Hon.  Lewis  Miller,  a 
prominent  Methodist  of  Akron,  was  the  first  to  sug- 
gest and  to  help  with  time  and  money  the  enterprise 
that  has  grown  and  developed  under  the  magnetic  per- 
sonality of  Bishop  Vincent  to  be  the  greatest  educa- 
tional movement  of  the  century. 

The  Lakoside  General  Assembly,  located  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Erie,  twelve  miles  from  Sandusky, 
began  as  a  camp-meeting,  in  August,  1873.  A.  C. 
Payne,  B.  H.  Jacobs,  S.  R.  Gill,  Rev.  R.  P.  Duval, 
Alexander  Clemons,  and  E.  Johnson  were  the  original 
purchasers  of  the  central  part  of  the  grounds.  Rev. 
R.  P.  Duval  ^'formulated  the  plan,  and  kindled  the 
fires  of  enthusiasm  that  never  have  gone  out,  and  that 
have  proven  contagious."  In  September,  1873,  the 
Central  Ohio  Conference  accepted  the  thirty  acres 
of  grounds   tendered   the   Church   for   camp-meeting 


ORGANIZATIONS   OF  METHODISM.  217 

purposes,  and  appointed  six  ministers  and  six  laymen 
as  a  Uoard  of  Trustees,  to  carry  out  the  conditions  im- 
posed. The  idea  of  liaving  a  place  for  a  summer  home 
and  for  Christian  culture  took  with  the  people.  In 
1874  the  North  Ohio  Conference  joined  the  Central 
Ohio  in  possession  and  management  of  the  grounds. 
The  Central  German  Conference  followed  in  1875,  and 
the  East  Ohio  Conference  in  1889.  The  first  Sunday- 
school  Encampment  was  held  in  1877.  The  original 
auditorium  was  erected  in  1878,  and  enlarged  to  its 
present  size  in  1887.  The  Lakeside  Hotel  was  built 
in  1874,  and  enlarged  in  1890.  The  beautiful  lake, 
picturescpe  grounds^  excellent  accommodations,  and 
fine  summer  homes  make  this  a  desirable  summer  re- 
treat, and  a  place  for  the  highest  grade  of  entertain- 
ment and  intellectual  development. 

The  Assembly  grounds  located  at  Lancaster,  ^It. 
^^ernon,  Epworth  Heights,  and  other  places  in  Ohio 
for  camp-meeting  purposes  and  religious  culture,  in- 
dicate that  the  Church  seeks  to  influence  for  good  the 
people  who  might  otherwise  seek  questionable  worldly 
summer  resorts. 

Great  institutions  and  great  men  are  closely  related. 
The-  Church  that  had  been  so  active  in  evangelical 
work  would  naturally  bring  to  the  front  some  strong, 
notable  men.  Ohio  has  given  to  the  Church  a  great 
number  of  bishops.  Since  the  organization  of  the 
r^Fethodist  Episcopal  Church  in  America,  there  have 
been  forty-nine  bishops.  Of  this  number,  seventeen 
came  from  Ohio.  Bishops  Hamline,  ]\Iorris,  Clark, 
Thomson,  Kingslev,  A\'iley,  and  Hartzell  were  elected 
to  the  episcopal  office  while  their  homes  were  in  Ohio, 


2l8  OHIO   METHODISM. 

and  Bishops  Simpson,  Ames,  Harris,  Foster,  Alerrill, 
Walden,  Joyce,  Thoburn,  ]\IcCalj)e,  and  Cranston  were 
born  in  Ohio.  Of  the  twenty-one  bishops  now  living, 
eight  are  from  this  State. 

The  influence  of  prominent  Ohio  Methodists  in 
national  affairs  is  worthy  of  note.  John  ^McLean, 
justice  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  was  an 
active,  earnest  Methodist.  During  the  war.  Secretary 
Stanton  exerted  a  great  influence.  He  was  converted 
at  a  Alethodist  ahar  in  Steubenville.  Lincoln  found 
Bishop  Simpson,  of  Cadiz,  Ohio,  one  of  his  wisest  and 
most  intimate  counselors.  The  following  incident  will 
illustrate  this  bishop's  influence.  He  said:  "One  day, 
in  the  darkest  time  of  the  war,  I  called  to  see  Mr. 
Lincoln.  We  talked  long  and  earnestly  about  the 
situation.  AMien  I  rose  tO'  go,  Mr.  Lincoln  stepped 
to  the  door  and  turned  the  key,  and  said:  'Bishop,  I 
feel  the  need  of  prayer  as  never  before.  Please  pray 
for  me!'  And  so  we  knelt  down  in  that  room  together, 
and  all  through  the  prayer  the  President  responded 
most  fervently." 

The  parents  of  General  Grant  were  active  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church  at  the  time  of  his  birth  at 
Point  Pleasant.  He  lived  and  died  a  ]\Iethodist. 
President  Hayes  \vas  not  a  member  of  the  Church,  but 
was  connected  with  it  as  a  trustee  for  the  greater  share 
of  his  life.  He  actively  engaged  in  Church  work  in 
Gambier  while  a  student.  President  AIcKinley,  the 
wise  and  prudent  statesman,  is  a  Methodist  of  great 
influence  in  the  Church. 

It  is  a  saurce  0;f  gratification  and  thankfulness 
that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Ohio  has  had 


ORGA.MZ.l'JIONS   OF  METHODISM.  219 

the  honor  of  inaiii^^uratin^  some  of  the  .e^reatcst  Chris- 
tian and  benevolent  organizations  of  the  worhl.  This 
is  largely  due  to  the  Christian  zeal  and  devotion  of 
noble  antecedents.  It  is  a  joy  to  plan  great  things  for 
God  and  humanity,  l)ut  it  is  a  greater  glory  for  the 
Christians  of  this  generation  to  receive  the  noble 
heritage,  and  work  earnestly  to  fulfill  the  original 
conception  of  the  founders. 


Chapter    VIII. 

^tgljBr  etiucatton  in  MBtljntiiam, 


"^iF  we  work  upon  marble,  it  will  perish  ;  but  if  we  work  upon 
^  immortal  minds,  if  we  imbue  them  with  principles,  with  the 
fear  of  God,  and  love  of  our  fellow-men — we  engrave  on  these  tab- 
lets something  which  will  brighten  for  all  eternity." — Daniel  Web- 
ster, 

COLLEGE  must  be  either  avowedly  and  openly  Christian,  or 
by  the  very  absence  of  avowed  Christian  influence  it  will  be 

strongly  and   decidedly  unchristian  in  its  effects  upon  students." 

— President  Gates. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  uniform  policy  of  the  Christian  Church  is  to 
educate.  Prior  to  the  eighteenth  century  not  one 
university  was  estabhshed  but  "for  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  Church."  Methodism  has  always  been  in  the 
front  rank  of  the  educational  forces  of  the  age.  It  was 
born  in  a  university,  and  its  leaders  were  trained  in  the 
oldest  English  universities.  John  and  Charles  Wesley 
and  Thomas  Coke  were  from  Oxford  University. 

The  general  acceptance  of  Christ  is  largely  the  re- 
sult of  the  influence  of  men  who  combine  piety  with 
trained  ability.  Paul,  Luther,  Calvin,  Knox,  Cranmer, 
Wesley,  and  other  great  leaders,  were  men  whose 
minds  were  cultivated  and  stored  with  knowledge, 
while  their  hearts  were  imbued  with  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  The  revival  of  religion  tends  to  quicken 
the  intellectual  faculties,  and  promotes  the  extension 
of  knowledge. 

The  enduring  foundations  of  ^Methodism  were  laid 
by  men  of  intellectual  ability  and  scholarship.  "The 
mental  vigor,  great  scholarship,  and  executive  force 
of  John  Wesley,  the  poetic  fervor  and  culture  of 
Charles  Wesley,  the  great  theological  attainments  of 
Fletcher,  the  chaste  though  popular  and  dramatic  elo- 
quence of  Whitefield,"  were  among  the  human  forces 
in  the  leaders  who  could  so  direct  tke  extraordinary 
revival  movement  as  to  prevent  its  becoming  marred 
and  defeated  by  the  fanatical  excesses  of  the  unedu- 
cated masses.     Their  education  commanded   respect, 

223 


224  OHIO  METHODISM. 

and  their  deep  and  fervent  piety  inspired  such  confi- 
dence that  the  spiritual  reformation  augmented  with 
each  succeeding  age.  The  Methodist  Church  has  al- 
ways deemed  education  necessary  for  the  highest  in- 
terests of  the  home,  the  Church,  and  the  welfare  of  the 
Nation.  She  has  proved  a  great  intellectual  stimulant 
in  this  country.  The  iiicrease  in  population  in  the 
United  States  from  1880  to  1890  was  26.7  per  cent; 
for  the  same  period  the  increase  of  students  in  college 
classes  in  all  Methodist  schools  in  the  United  States 
was  52.3  per  cent.  This  is  certainly  a  hopeful  indica- 
tion of  the  ambition  and  lofty  purpose  of  Methodist 
youth. 

Wherever  Methodism  is  introduced,  education 
quickly  follows.  Her  ministers  are  leaders  in  the  new 
education.  Ohio  has  been  no  exception  to  this  rule. 
Higher  education  is  her  most  noteworthy  honor.  The 
declaration  of  the  ordinance  of  1787  says  that  "relig- 
ion, morality,  and  knowledge  being  necessary  to  good 
government  and  the  happiness  of  mankind,  schools 
and  the  means  of  instruction  shall  forever  be  encour- 
aged in  this  Territory."  This  State  policy  gave  en- 
couragement to  the  cause  of  higher  education.  The 
pioneers  of  Ohio  projected  a  large  number  of  secon- 
dary schools  and  colleges.  Instead  of  one  absorbing 
center  of  learning,  the  colleges  were  planted  through- 
out the  State,  so  that  the  youth  of  even  limited  means 
could  secure  a  good  education  with  a  moderate  ex- 
penditure of  money  and  efifort.  The  thirty-seven  col- 
leges in  Ohio  are  largely  denominational,  but  not  sec- 
tarian; the  majority  of  them  are  vigorous  and  growing, 
and  maintain  the  hisfhest  standards  of  education.    The 


HIGHER  EDUCATION  IN  METHODISM.  225 

glorious  heritage  for  Ohio's  sons  and  daughters  is 
found  in  the  fact  that  they  enjoy  the  highest  oppor- 
tunities for  intellectual  training  and  preparation  for 
service  in  the  world's  moral  and  spiritual  interests. 
"Through  her  colleges,"  says  President  Scovel,  "Ohio 
is  expressing  her  devotion  to  the  great  industry  of 
making  men,  the  most  men  and  the  best  men.  That  is 
the  meaning  of  everything  that  has  any  meaning.  The 
sciences  are  to  enlarge  man's  nature  and  his  grasp 
upon  nature  at  the  same  time ;  the  philosophies,  to  lead 
him  into  reverence  for  his  own  inner  being  and  for  the 
great  Upper  Being  whence  and  in  whose  image  he 
came.  The  governments  are  to  make  man-making 
influences  supreme,  and  man-destroying  influences  are 
to  be  minimized  or  extirpated.  Literature  breathes 
warm  desire  for  refinement  and  the  illumination  of 
men.  Religion  renovates  man,  and  secures  his  con- 
duct here  as  a  working-bee  in  a  social  beehive." 

The  Methodist  Church  recognizes  that  it  is  her 
duty  and  privilege  to  educate  the  youth  for  the  Church 
and  for  good  citizenship.  When,  in  1784,  the  Church 
was  organized,  Cokesbury  College,  near  Baltimore, 
was  founded.  The  fact  that  the  required  studies  em- 
braced the  English,  Latin,  Greek,  Hebrew,  German, 
and  French  languages  shows  the  high  standard  of  the 
early  education  set  up.  The  same  spirit  actuates  the 
Church  of  to-day.  Though  among  the  youngest  of 
Christian  bodies  of  this  country,  the  magnitude  and 
extent  of  educational  work  is  second  to  none.  The 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  comprises  less  than  one- 
half  of  the  ^lethodists  in  the  L^nitcd  States;  yet  in 
1892  she  had  forty-nine  institutions  of  collegiate  grade, 
15 


2  26  OHIO   METHODISM. 

with  property  and  endowment  of  over  seventeen  mill- 
ions. Of  the  six  thousand  students  attending  these 
institutions,  there  are  sent  out  annually  fifteen  hun- 
dred graduates  with  Bachelor's  degrees.  In  1892  she 
had  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  institutions  of  learn- 
ing of  every  grade,  wdth  property  and  endowment 
valued  at  twenty-six  million  dollars,  with  two  thousand 
four  hundred  and  forty-three  professors  and  teachers, 
and  forty  thousand  and  tw-enty-six  students.  A 
Church  with  such  a  record  will  certainly  not  Ipse  her 
hold  upon  the  intellect  and  scholarship  of  the  age. 

*^The  iMethodist  Church,"  says  William  T.  Harris, 
Commissioner  of  Education,  "is  sending  out  philos- 
ophers of  a  high  order,  end  attacking  the  evils  of 
skepticism  as  intrenched  in  such  system.  I  have 
noticed,  too,  that  in  matters  of  highest  scholarship  the 
Methodist  Church  is  sending  forward  young  men  into 
the  first  rank.  And  yet  this  remarkable  Church  does 
not  lose  the  ground  wdiich  it  has  always  held  in  the 
enlightenment  of  the  masses  of  the  people." 

The  iMethodist  Church  likew^ise  believes  it  to  be 
both  politic  and  expedient  to  raise  up  an  educated 
ministry.  Wesley  required  all  his  preachers  to  study 
at  least  five  hours  a  day.  To  one  who  neglected  his 
duty,  Wesley  wrote:  "Hence  your  talent  in-  preaching 
does  not  increase;  it  is  just  the  same  as  it  w^as  seven 
years  ago.  It  is  lively,  but  not  deep;  there  is  little 
variety,  there  is  no  compass  of  thought.  Reading 
only  can  supply  this,  with  daily  meditation  and  daily 
prayer.  You  wrong  yourself  greatly  by  omitting  this; 
you  can  never  be  a  deep  preacher  without  it,  any  more 


HIGHER   EDUCATION  E\  METHODISM.  227 

than  a  thorough  Christian.  O  begin !  fix  some  part  of 
every  day  for  private  exercise.  You  may  acquire  the 
taste  which  you  have  not;  what  is  tedious  at  first  will 
afterwards  be  pleasant.  Whether  you  like  it  or  not, 
read  and  pray  daily.  It  is  for  your  life!  There  is  no 
other  way;  else  you  will  be  a  tritier  and  a  superficial 
preacher  all  your  days.  Do  justice  to  your  own  soul: 
give  it  time  and  means  to  grow;  do  not  starve  yourself 
any  longer."  These  words  show  how  urgent  ]Mr. 
Wesley  was,  both  in  example  and  precept,  to  have  an 
educated  ministry.  Methodism  has  made  ample  pro- 
vision for  education.  Her  young  men  are  urged  to 
attend  college.  Each  applicant  for  the  ministry  must 
undergo  a  four  years'  course  of  reading  and  study, 
with  examinations  at  the  close  of  each  year.  The 
brightest  minds  that  occupy  her  pulpits  have  been 
trained  within  the  scholarly  precincts  of  her  own  col- 
leges. Her  theologians  and  ministers,  as  a  class,  do 
not  suffer  by  comparison  with  the  best  produced  by 
any  other  denomination  in  Christendom.  The  min- 
isters are  thus  qualified  to  meet  the  different  phases 
of  human  activity,  and  speak  effectively  on  civil,  re- 
ligious, and  economic  questions. 

Besides  the  thousands  attending  the  literary  insti- 
tutions of  the  Church,  it  is  estimated  that  there  are  not 
less  than  thirty-five  hundred  young  ministers  annually 
pursuing  a  four  years'  Conference  Course  of  Study, 
which  is  intended  to  be  post-graduate,  and  supplement- 
ary to  a  scholastic  and  theological  training.  In  some 
of  the  Conferences  a  course  in  one  of  our  theological 
schools  takes  the  place  of  these  Conference  studies. 


228  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Thousands  of  young  people  in  the  Sunday-school 
and  Ep worth  League  are  likewise  successfully  pursu- 
ing some  course  of  study.  The  facts  show  how  effect- 
ually the  Church  is  providing  for  the  religious  influence 
and  moral  teachings  of  her  youth. 

The  first  literary  institution  of  Methodism  in  the 
West  was  that  of  Bethel  Academy,  located  in  Jessa- 
mine County,  Kentucky.  The  enterprise  was  pro- 
jected in  17CS9,  but  w^as  not  incorporated  until  1802. 
A  building,  eighty  by  forty  feet  and  three  stories  high, 
was  erected,  on  one  hundred  acres  of  land  as  a  site 
for  the  academy.  This  was  subsequently  abandoned 
by  the  Church.  Later,  in  1822,  Augusta  College, 
located  at  Augusta,  Kentuck}-,  on  the  Ohio  River, 
was  organized  by  the  joint  action  of  the  Ohio  and 
Kentucky  Conferences.  In  1823,  a  three-story  build- 
ing, forty-two  by  eighty,  was  completed,  and  conveyed 
to  the  trustees.  The  college  was  transferred  to  Lex- 
ington in  1844,  but  the  new  enterprise  proved  unsuc- 
cessful. This  college  gave  impulse  to  the  cause  of 
education,  and  led  to  founding  of  other  prosperous 
schools  under  more  favorable  conditions. 

As  Ohio  Methodism  grew^  in  numbers  and  financial 
strength,  a  number  of  small  academies  were  estab- 
lished in  different  sections  of  the  State,  with  a  view 
to  meeting  somewhat  the  needs  of  the  people,  and 
improving  the  standard  of  scholarship.  Many  of  these 
schools  were  under  the  control  of  the  Conferences 
within  whose  boundaries  they  were  located,  while 
others  were  conducted  in  the  interest  of  the  Church 
under  private  ownership. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  these  literary  institutions, 


HIGHER   EDUCATION  IN  METHODISM. 


229 


owned  and  controlled  by  the  IMcthodist  Episcopal 
Church  prior  to  1884: 

NAME    OF    INSTITUTION.  LOCATION.  PERIOD. 

Norwalk  .Seminary, Norwalk,  ....  1833-1848. 

Worthington  Female  College,  ....  Worthington,  .    .  1839-1874. 

Berea  Seminary, Berea, 1840-1846. 

Greenfield  Seminary, Greenfield,.    .    .  1851. 

Ohio  Conference  High  School,  .    .    .  Springfield,.    .    .  1852. 

Baldwin  Institute, Berea, 1852-1856. 

Poland  Female  College, Poland, 1858-1860. 

Wilberforce  University, Xenia,  ....       1858-1863. 

Willoughby  Collegiate  Institute,  .  .  Willoughby,  .  .  1859-1883. 
Central  Ohio  Conference  Seminary,  .  Maumee  City,  .  .  1861-1872. 
Cincinnati  Wesleyan  College,  ....  Cincinnati,  .    .    .  1842-1894. 

Schools  conducted  in  the  interest  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  under  private  ownership: 


NAME   OF    INSTITUTION.  LOCATION. 

Springfield  P^male  College, Springfield, .    . 

Oakland  Female  College, Hillsboro,    .    . 

Asbury  Seminary, Chagrin  Falls, . 

Spring  Mountain  Academy, Spring  Mount,  . 

Linden  Hill  Academy, New  Carlisle,  . 

Mansfield  Female  College, Mansfield,    .    . 

Coveville  Seminary, Coveville,     .    . 

Richmond  College, Richmond,  .    . 

Xenia  Seminary, Xenia,  .... 


PERIOD. 

1842-1866. 

1839-1853. 

1851-1862. 

1855-1866. 

1856. 

1858. 

1861-1866. 

1862. 

1850. 


The  small  academies  and  colleges  were,  for  the 
most  part,  without  endowment,  and  depended  upon 
the  tuition  and  boarding  fees  of  students  for  their 
support.  Owing  to  the  improved  conditions  and  the 
excellent  work  done  in  the  public  high  schools,  the 
popularity  of  these  academies  declined,  and  the  small 
patronage  did  not  prove  adecjuate  to  their  support, 
and  nearly  all  of  them  have  been  closed.  The  attempt 
to  found  these  literary  institutions  has  not  been  with- 
out good  fruits.  Considering  the  time  and  circum- 
stances of  these  educational  efforts,  thev  were  efficient 


230  OHIO   METHODISM. 

and  useful,  and  served  to  intensify  among-  the  people 
the  desire  for  education.  Many  eminent  men  and 
women  received  their  training  in  these  institutions. 
Methodism  was  greatly  blessed  and  benefited.  They 
gave  to  the  medical,  legal,  and  literary  professions 
many  bright  lights,  and  to  the  pulpit  a  num1)er  of 
distinguished  ministers. 

It  does  not  require,  however,  a  great  philosophical 
thinker  to  see  that  the  day  of  numerous  small  acad- 
emies is  past.  The  methods  and  appliances  for  teach- 
ing have  been  so  multiplied  that  it  requires  a  good 
endowment  to  meet  the  necessary  expenses,  and  keep 
pace  with  modern  educational  work.  The  duty  of  the 
hour  is  for  benevolent  men  in  the  Church  to  cease 
establishing  more  colleges,  and  to  give  their  money  to 
strengthen  those  already  founded.  Money  given  to 
an  old  established  college  will  increase  its  power  and 
efificiency,  and  the  donor  will  have  the  guarantee  that 
his  gift  will  be  perpetuated  through  the  centuries.  It 
will  be  interesting  to  sketch  briefly  the  history  of  four 
of  the  leading  colleges  of  Ohio  under  the  patronage 
of  the  Church. 

SCIO  COLLEGE. 

Scio  CoLLKCK  was  originally  organized  as  Rural 
Seminary,  at  Harlem  Sjorings,  Ohio,  in  1857;  but  on 
account  of  its  remoteness  from  railroad  facilities,  it 
was  soon  removed  to  the  town  of  Xew  IMarket  (now 
Scio),  and  incorporated  under  the  name  of  Xew  Mar- 
ket College. 

Scio  is  thirty-three  miles  west  of  Steubenville,  and 
about  the  same  distance  from  Wheeling.    The  campus 


HIGHER   EDUCATION  EV  METHODISM.  23 1 

contains  about  six  acres,  well  situated  for  college  pur- 
poses. A  portion  is  sliaded  by  numerous  trees,  afford- 
ing a  delightful  resort  in  summer,  and  adding  much 
to  the  charming  scenery  of  the  town;  the  remainder 
of  the  campus  is  devoted  to  athletic  sports.  This  is 
overlooked  by  a  natural  amphitheater,  furnishing  a 
magnificent  view  of  the  grounds. 

The  new  college  building  is  a  fine  brick  structure 
of  the  latest  architectural  design,  furnished  in  the  best 
manner  throughout,  and,  situated  upon  the  gentle 
slope  of  the  beautiful  campus,  presents  an  imposing 
appearance.  The  building  is  three  stories,  with  rear 
annex  for  stairways,  and  fronted  with  a  graceful  tower 
that  overlooks  all  the  surrounding  valley  of  the  Con- 
notton. 

The  Ladies'  Hall  is  a  large  structure  of  four  stories 
and  basement,  has  been  completely  remodeled  and 
rearranged,  and  is  virtually  a  new  and  modern  build- 
ing throughout. 

In  the  year  1875  ^  radical  change  was  made  in  the 
plan  of  study,  and  the  name  of  the  school  was  changed 
to  ''The  One  Study  University."  The  feature  adopted 
was  unicjue  in  the  history  of  schools,  and  had  been 
attempted  by  no  other  school  in  the  country.  The 
plan  was  to  pursue  but  one  study  at  a  time,  complete 
it,  take  up  another,  and  so  on  through  the  course. 

In  many  res]:)ects  the  plan  was  successful,  and  cre- 
ated great  enthusiasm  and  healthful  rivalry  among  the 
students.  There  was  no  class  arrangement,  but  each 
one  did  all  the  work  in  each  branch  that  he  was  able 
to  accomplish,  irrespective  of  others,  and  was  thus  a 
constant  spur  to  his  companions.     However,  as  this 


232  OHIO   METHODISM. 

was  l)rcaking-  up  all  the  old  traditions  of  the  schools, 
the  pressure  became  so  great  that  at  last  the  school 
yielded,  and  returned  to  the  old  method  of  study,  and, 
in  June,  1877,  was  reorganized  under  its  present  title, 
Scio  College,  and  passed  under  the  control  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  purpose  to  furnish  young  men  and  women 
with  a  thorough  course  of  instruction,  that  will  fully 
equip  them  for  the  battles  of  life,  has  been  kept  steadily 
in  view,  and  the  uniform  success  of  those  trained 
within  her  walls  has  elicited  the  attention  and  com- 
mendation of  all  who  have  been  interested. 

Although  a  comparatively  young  school,  yet  within 
the  past  thirty  years  it  has  graduated  two  hundred  and 
seventy-two  students  in  the  regular  college  course — 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  of  whom  have  entered 
the  ministry,  mainly  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Co-education  of  the  sexes  has  proved  successful 
and  beneficial  in  this  college  during  its  entire  history 
of  twenty-seven  years.  Nearly  one-third  of  its  stu- 
dents and  graduates  during  this  period  have  been 
ladies.  This  college  has  no  productive  endowment, 
and  necessarily  depends  upon  student  fees  for  support. 

BALDWIN  UNIVERSITY. 

John  and  Mary  D.  Baldwin  were  the  joint 
founders  of  Baldwin  University.  The  former  was  born 
in  Branford,  Connecticut,  October  13,  1799,  and  the 
latter  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  April  15,  1802. 
In  1828  they  removed  to  Ohio,  arriving  in  Cleveland 
]May  28th  of  that  year.     Mr.  Baldwin  had  purchased 


HIGHER   EDUCATION   IN  METHODISM.  233 

two  hundred  acres  of  land  wliere  the  villaj:;^e  of  Berea 
now  stands,  and  it  was  to  this  tract  that  he  and  his 
wife  removed.  On  this  land  the  famous  quarries  were 
subsequently  opened,  i  he  former  campus  of  Baldwin 
University  also  formed  a  part  of  it. 

The  original  charter  was  granted  by  the  Legis- 
lature of  the  State,  December  20,  1845.  It  is  a  brief 
instrument,  merely  reciting  the  purpose  of  the  found- 
ers and  granting  the  necessary  powers  to  a  Board  of 
Trustees.  The  institution  has  been  co-educational 
from  the  beginning.  It  is  among  the  pioneers  in  this 
respect.  Among  its  first  graduates  were  certain  wo- 
men. The  first  title  of  the  school  was  ''Baldwin  Insti- 
tute." In  1856  the  name  was  changed  to  Baldwin 
University,  in  obedience  to  State  laws  regulating  such 
changes. 

The  first  hall  was  named  North  Hall.  As  it  was 
completed  in  1845,  and  as  the  charter  was  not  granted 
till  late  in  that  year,  it  must  have  been  in  process  of 
construction  before  the  charter  was  granted.  The 
material  of  it  was  brick.  It  had  three  stories.  The 
lowest  fioor  had  three  recitation-rooms  and  a  gym- 
nasium. The  second  lloor  afforded  room  for  chapel 
and  one  recitation-room,  that  could  be  added  to  the 
chapel  when  necessary.  The  highest  floor  was  occu- 
pied by  young  men,  who  l^oarded  themselves.  It  is 
evident,  from  these  1)its  of  information,  what  the  col- 
lege of  those  days  was — meant  to  be  a  college  where 
persons  of  humble  means,  or  no  means,  could  obtain 
a  good  education.  For  many  years  it  held  tenaciously 
to  this  ideal:  but  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  all-pervad- 
ing luxury  of  recent  years  has  much  affected  the  style 


234  OHIO  METHODISM, 

of  living-  in  Baldwin  University.  Few,  if  any,  students 
now  board  themselves.  Tlie  university  no  longer 
makes  dormitory  accommodations  available  for  young 
men. 

Baldwin  Hall  was  built  in  185 1-2,  followed  in  1853 
by  a  stone  building  just  west  of  it.  Baldwin  Hall  was 
a  dormitory,  w'herein  they  boarded  themselves.  The 
other  building  was  devoted  to  an  experiment  in  self- 
help.  It  was  fitted  up  as  a  woolen  factory,  wherein 
students  could  earn  sufficient  to  pay  school  expenses. 
But  it  was  a  failure.  After  serving  various  uses,  the 
last  of  which  was  that  of  chemical  laboratory,  the 
building  burned  down.  Since  that,  no  effort  has  been 
made  to  provide  w'ork  for  students. 

South  Hall  w^as  built  about  1853.  It  was  first  a 
dormitory  for  young  women,  and  also  for  young  men. 
The  latter  occupied  the  top  floor,  and  the  former  the 
one  next  lower.  On  the  first  floor  was  a  dining-room 
and  a  Natural  Science  recitation-room.  Old  South 
Hall  still  stands,  though  abandoned.  Along  \\A\\\  the 
campus  on  which  it  stands,  it  was  sold  to  the  Cleveland 
Stone  Company. 

The  building  best  known  to  the  surviving  Alumni 
is  Ilulet  Hall.  It  was  completed  in  1868.  On  the  first 
floor  were  five  recitation-rooms.  On  the  second  was 
a  spacious  auditorium,  capable  of  seating  six  hundred 
people.  In  the  summer  of  1896  it  was  torn  down,  and 
the  stones  of  the  w^alls  were  removed  to  the  new 
campus,  where  it  will  in  due  time  be  re-erected. 

Ladies'  Hall  was  completed  about  1883.  It  was 
projected  under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  William  D. 
Godman,   and    completed    under   that   of    Dr.    Aaron 


HIGHER   KDrCATTON  IN  METHODISM.  235 

Schuyler.  It  was  partly  occupied  before  it  was  com- 
pleted. The  rooms  are  large  and  elegant,  but  they 
possess  few  accommodations. 

A  great  change  came  over  the  fortunes  of  Baldwin 
University  in  1888.  During  this  year  its  real  estate 
was  sold  to  the  Cleveland  Stone  Company.  The  uni- 
versity retained  its  Ladies'  Hall  and  one  other  build- 
ing, old  and  well-nigh  useless.  Months  and  even 
years  went  by  without  any  visible  change  in  the  for- 
tunes of  the  school.  It  was  once  much  considered  to 
unite  the  school  to  Cleveland,  or  to  some  other  town 
which  might  be  induced  to  aid  it  financially  more 
than  the  small  village  of  Berea  was  able  to  do.  How- 
ever, these  were  passing  phases  of  the  university's  his- 
tory. The  problem  was  solved  by  the  nnmificence  of 
Berea  citizens.  Funds  for  the  purchase  of  fifteen 
acres  of  land  were  raised  by  them,  a  lot  in  the  central 
northern  part  of  the  village  bought  and  presented  to 
the  trustees.  It  was  a  noble  gift,  representing  the 
unselfish  generosity  of  a  community  neither  numer- 
ous nor  rich  in  wealthy  men. 

Since  that  time  two  buildings  have  been  erected. 
Kecitation  Hall  is  a  beautiful  structure  of  Ber^a  Stone, 
finished  artistically,  and  furnished  in  modern  manner 
throughout.  It  was  opened  for  use  in  September, 
1893.  The  other  new  building  is  the  Library  Hall. 
The  full  name  of  this  building  is  the  ''Philura  Gould 
Baldwin  Memorial  Library."  It  was,  in  large  part,  the 
gift  of  John  Baldwin.  Jr.,  and  wife,  in  honor  of  the 
memory  of  their  deceased  daughter,  whose  name  the 
building  bears.  Miss  Baldwin  was  the  first  librarian, 
and  in  her  office  showed  remarkable  aptitude. 


236  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Baldwin  University,  at  its  present  stage,  is  an  evo- 
lution. At  each  phase  of  its  development  it  adjusted 
itself  to  the  conditions  as  best  it  was  able.  At  nearly 
every  point  of  its  history  it  has  had  men  of  eminence 
in  its  Faculty,  and  generally  presented  a  corps  of 
teachers  who  would  have  compared  favorably  with 
those  of  any  Ohio  college.  Bishop  Harris  was  one  of 
its  early  principals.  Mr.  Holbrook,  the  founder  of 
Lebanon  Normal  School,  was  once  its  principal.  Pro- 
fessor White,  of  Harvard,  was  once-  its  professor  of 
Greek.  The  son  of  Bishop  Thomson  was  once  its 
professor  of  Natural  Science.  Aaron  Schuyler  was 
once  its  president,  a  renowned  mathematician  and 
acute  philosophical  thinker.  As  an  institute  it  had 
two  or  three  principals;  as  a  university  it  has  had  five 
presidents:  John  Wheeler,  William  D.  Godman, 
Aaron  Schuyler,  Joseph  E.  Stubbs,  and  Millard  F. 
Warner.  In  filling  its  Faculty  chairs,  it  has  con- 
stantly availed  itself  of  the  best  talent  its  means  could 
afford.  At  present  all  of  its  incumbents  arc  persons  of 
special  aptitudes  and  extended  preparation. 

Its  courses  of  study  have  continually  improved  as 
the  institution  has  come  more  and  more  into  a  realiza- 
tion of  its  mission  and  duty,  and  has  been  affected 
more  and  more  by  the  advancing  standards  of  other 
schools.  It  now  recjuires  a1)Out  the  same  as  other 
colleges  of  its  class  in  Ohio.  For  many  years  it  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Ohio  College  Association,  in 
which  it  has  exercised  a  fair  share  of  influence  and 
received  due  consideration  and  esteem.  Its  ideals 
have  somewhat  changed.     Without  abandoning  the 


HIGHER  EDUCATION  IN  METHODISM,  237 

idea  of  affording  a  good  education  to  persons  of  lim- 
ited means,  it  has  gradually  raised  its  i)rices,  and  has 
abandoned  those  efforts  at  self-help  with  which  it  be- 
gan its  career.  Its  religious  life  has  merged  into  a 
more  general  type.  While  it  yet  educates  many  men 
for  the  Methodist  ministry,  perhaps  as  many  as  ever, 
it  is  proportionally  less  a  school  of  the  prophets,  and 
more  a  fitting  school  for  all  professions  and  for  the 
real  universities  of  America  and  Europe. 

MOUNT  UNION  COLLEGE. 

Mount  Union  College  is  located  in  Alliance, 
Stark  County,  an  enterprising  place  of  nine  thousand 
inhabitants.  The  city  occupies  a  very  central  position 
in  Eastern  Ohio.  The  college  is  situated  upon  a 
plateau,  from  which  picturesque  landscapes  may  be 
seen.  The  campus  contains  about  fifty  acres.  This 
high  ground  is  particularly  healthful  as  a  place  of 
residence. 

Dr.  C.  E.  Rice  says:  "Mount  Union  College  had 
its  origin  in  a  small  subscription  school  started  by  Dr. 
O.  N.  Hartshorn,  in  the  fall  of  1846.  Renting  an  un- 
finished room  in  the  upper  story  of  the  old  woolen 
mill,  he  finished  and  furnished  the  room,  and  started 
his  academy  with  an  attendance  of  about  twenty  stu- 
dents. Returning  to  Allegheny  College,  he  graduated 
with  his  class,  and  afterwards  held  several  sessions  or 
terms  of  school  in  the  Baptist  fleeting-house,  near  the 
site  of  the  old  Mount  L^nion  Cemetery.  In  185 1  the 
academy  building  was  erected,  and  the  young  and 
flourishing  institution  was  transplanted  to  the  upper 


238 


OHIO  M Em  on  ISM. 


end  of  State  Street.  Here  it  found  ample  accommo- 
dations until  the  attendance  became  so  great  that  a 
larger  building  was  found  necessary. 

"On  the  25th  of  November,  1861,  the  citizens  of 
Mount  Union  were  startled  by  the  appearance  of  blaz- 
ing posters  and  hand-bills  announcing  the 

NEW    COLLEGE    JIUILDING. 

''  'On  next  Monday  evening,  the  ist  of  December, 
a  public  meeting  will  be 
held  at  Mount  Union,  to 
exhibit  the  plans  and  draw- 
ings of  the  new  college 
building,  and  to  receive 
suggestions  in  regard  to 
size  and  proportions.  The 
architect.  Colonel  S.  C. 
I^orter,  of  Cleveland,  will 
be  present,  to  exhibit,  by 
large    diagrams    and    oral 

explanations,  the  plans,  sections,  and  paintings  of  the 

new  college  edifice,  etc' 
"As    a    resuh    of    this 

vigorous    advertising,    the 

present   large  and   elegant 

college   building   was 

erected,   and   dedicated  by 

Chief- Justice     Chase,     o  n 

December     i,     1864.       1 1^ 

1866  the  Ladies'  Hall  was 

constructed  and  furnished. 

Its  ground  plan  is  135  feet 

long  by  47  feet   wide;   four  stories   high   above   the 

basement  story. 


HIGHER   E  DUG  AT  I  ON  IN  METHODISM, 


239 


"The  fourth  large  college  building — known  as  the 
Morgan  Gynniasiuni — was  erected  in  i(S(jo-9i,  as  a 
result  largely  of  the  generosity  of  Hon.  T.  R.  ^Morgan, 
Sr.,  of  Aliance,  Ohio.  As  a  tribute  to  Air.  ^Morgan's 
liberality,  the  building  was  called 

THE    MORGAN    GYMNASIUM. 

It  is  80  X  50  feet,  with  a  tower  and  observatory,  in 
which  is  mounted  our  large  telescope,  wdiich  was  for 
several  years  taken  to 
Chautauqua  for  the  use  of 
the  Summer  School  of 
Astronomy.  The  gym- 
n  a  s  i  u  m  contains  bath- 
rooms and  lockers,  an  ar- 
mory and  barracks,  a  fine 
running-track,  and  a 
ground  floor  wdiich  is  ca- 
pable of  acommodating  a 
large  audience,  and  will  be 
used  for  the  Alumni  banquets  and  other  festive  gath- 
erings. 

"The  president's  mansion  was  built  at  an  expense 
of  $17,000  some  years  since,  and  left  in  an  unfinished 
condition.  The  trustees  of  the  college,  recognizing  in 
it  capabilities  for  an  elegant  home  for  the  president, 
promptly  purchased  and  completed  the  building,  which 
is  now  one  of  the  finest  private  dwellings  owned  by 
any  college." 

On  October  20,  1846.  the  school  began  with  six 
students.  In  the  second  week  the  enrollment  in- 
creased to  twenty,  and  the  school  was  continued  for 
five  months,  at  which  time  Dr.  Hartshorn  returned  to 


240 


OHIO   METHODISM. 


resume  his  studies  in  Allcg-heny  College.  Dr.  Harts- 
horn, with  thirty  pupils,  began  the  third  term  of  school 
on  November  i,  1849. 

The  grade  of  the  institution  and  the  number  of 
students  having  steadily  advanced,  application  was 
made  for  a  college  charter.  On  January  10,  1858, 
it   was    obtained.      In    it    the    institution    was    named 

"Mount  Union  College," 
and  it  was  stated  that 
through  its  Faculty  and 
trustees  it  "may  exercise 
all  the  powers  and  enjoy 
all  the  immunities  usually 
pertaining  to  colleges  and 
universities  of  the  United 
States." 

For  forty-one  years  Dr. 
Hartshorn  presided  over 
the  destinies  of  the  institution.  Owing  to  advancing 
years,  he  tendered  his  resignation  to  the  trustees  in 
1887.  The  college  was  then  without  a  president  until 
the  inauguration  of  Dr.  Marsh,  November  i,  1888. 
Dr.  Marsh  has  since  continued  in  charge.  The  pro- 
gress under  his  guidance  has  been  marked.  Since 
his  inauguration  he  has  preached  almost  every  Sab- 
bath in  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  or  West  Virginia.  The 
college  has  steadily  flourished;  the  number  of  stu- 
dents has  increased  to  six  hundred  per  year;  the  cur- 
riculum has  been  much  strengthened;  a  large  and 
beautiful  gymnasium  has  been  erected;  the  regular 
endowment  has  been  increased  some  $50,000;  a  library 
and  reading-room  has  been  established;  some  thirty 


HIGHER   ED  UC ATI  OX  IX  METHODISM.  24 1 

acres  of  ground  and  the  president's  residence  have 
been  given  to  the  cohege;  the  cohegc  has  been  ad- 
mitted to  the  State  College  Association  and  the  State 
Oratorical  Association  uf  Colleges;  a  college  paper 
has  been  succcssfull}'  established,  and  a  Aiilitary  De- 
partment added  to  the  other  departments  of  the  school. 
Altogether,  the  progress  has  been  steady  and  rapid. 

The  fundamental  ol)jccts  of  the  college  were  high 
and  noble,  and  by  strict  adherence  to  them  the  insti- 
tution has  had  a  most  successful  career. 

The  endowment  has  never  been  adequate  to  carry 
forward  the  work  as  desired.  The  grounds  and 
buildings  are  valued  at  $200,000,  and  the  produc- 
tive endowment  had  reached,  in  1897,  the  sum  of 
$76,000. 

All  institutions  of  merit  enter  into  new  develop- 
ments from  time  to  time.  Such  has  been  the  record 
of  INIount  Union  College.  Her  career  has  been  char- 
acterized by  great  sacrifices,  vigorous  growth,  and 
noble  achievements.  No  effort  is  spared  to  push  for- 
ward on  the  basis  of  genuine  work  and  worth. 

OHIO  WESLEYAN  UNIVERSITY. 

The  Ohio  W'eslcyan  University  was  established  in 
1844  by  the  joint  action  of  the  preachers  and  laymen, 
with  a  view  to  provide  a  thorough  education  of  the 
people  for  all  professions  and  vocations  of  life,  com- 
bined with  the  highest  spiritual  vitality.  The  univer- 
sity was  to  be  denominational,  but  in  nowise  illiberal 
or  sectarian.  The  beginnin.c^s  of  the  founders  were 
small,  but  the  outlook  was  hopeful. 

The  university  owes  its  location  to  the  white  sul- 
16 


242  OHIO   METHODISM. 

plmr  springs  on  the  campus.  In  1833  a  large  hotel, 
called  the  .Mansion  House,  was  erected  on  a  spacious 
lot  embracing  the  spring,  in  order  to  accommodate 
the  patrons  who  sought  the  health-imparting  waters. 
The  Rev.  Adam  Poc,  when  pastor  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  Delaware,  saw  the  desirability 
of  this  healthful  location  for  a  college  site,  and  the 
citizens  were  induced  to  purchase  the  spring  property, 
and  of¥er  it  to  the  Ohio  and  North  Ohio  Conferences 
for  the  establishment  of  a  college.  Accordingly,  in 
the  year  1841,  the  citizens  of  Delaware  raised  a  sub- 
scription of  $10,000  to  pay  for  the  property,  which  had 
originally  involved  an  investment  of  $25,000. 

In  August  of  the  same  year  a  delegation  of  citi- 
zens waited  on  the  North  Ohio  and  Ohio  Conferences, 
whose  territory  embraced  two-thirds  of  the  State,  and 
offered  to  convey  the  property  to  them,  on  condition 
that  a  college  h^  founded.  Each  of  the  Conferences 
appointed  a  committee  of  five,  to  meet  the  other  com- 
mittee at  Delaw^are,  with  power  to  act  in  case  the 
terms  proposed  by  the  citizens  of  Delaware  were  satis- 
factorily fulfilled.  Drs.  Charles  Elliott,  Joseph  ]\I. 
Trimble,  and  \Mlliam  P.  Strickland  were  deputed,  Au- 
gust 26,  1 84 1,  by  the  Ohio  Conference,  then  assembled 
at  Urbana,  to  visit  Delaware,  and  examine  the  prem- 
ises. They  carried  back  a  very  favorable  report.  The 
joint  committee  met  at  Delaware,  September  i,  1841. 
Dr.  Elliott  entered  into  the  matter  with  true  Irish  en- 
thusiasm. In  his  speech  before  the  Conference,  he 
said,  "Ciod  has  made  no  finer  spring  anywhere  than 
the  one  at  Delaware,"  and  humorously  added,  "There 
is  no  promise  in  the  Bible  that  He  will  ever  make 


HIGHER  EDUCATION  IX  METHODISM. 


243 


another  such."  The  conveyance  of  the  property  was 
made  to  the  committee  on  November  17,  184I0  The 
committee  purchased  the  adjacent  property  on  the 
south,  embracing  five  acres,  at  a  cost  of  $5,500,  and 
the  furniture  of  the  Mansion  House  for  about  $2,000 
more. 

Ackhtional   jmrcliases   have   been   made  at  an   ex- 


ASTKONOMICAL  ()i;SKR\ATORY. 

pense  of  a  httle  more  than  $20,000,  until  now  the  col- 
lege campus  contains  a1)out  forty  acres,  including  ten 
acres  at  IMonnett  Hall,  and  five  acres  called  Observa- 
tory Hill. 

"A  special  charter,"  says  Professor  \V.  G.  Williams, 
"conferring  university  powers,  was  granted  by  the 
Legislature,  ^March  7,  1842.  The  corporate  powers 
were  vested  in  a  Board  of  twenty-one  persons,  chosen 


244  OHIO   METHODISM. 

from  different,  parts  of  the  State.  The  riglit  of  per- 
petuation of  the  Board  was  reserved  to  the  two  patron- 
izing Conferences,  each  iilUng-  all  vacancies  alter- 
nately. These  Conferences  have  since  then  been 
divided  into  four,  each  with  the  same  right  of  perpetu- 
ating the  Board.  The  arrangement  continued  until 
the  year  1869,  when,  by  a  general  law  of  the  State, 
the  president  of  the  university  was  made  cx-ofhcio  a 
member  of  the  Board,  and  the  remaining  twenty  mem- 
bers were  divided  into  four  classes.  The  term  of  office 
was  reduced  to  five  years,  so  that  each  Conference 
now  annually  elects  one  trustee  for  a  period  of  five 
years.  In  1871  the  charter  was  so  modified  as  to  give 
the  Association  of  Alumni  a  representation  in  the 
Board  equal  to  that  of  each  Annual  Conference.  The 
Board  now  numbers  thirty  persons,  selected  by  the 
Ohio  Conferences  and  Alumni.  The  university  was 
organized  by  the  joint  action  of  Ohio  Conferences, 
and  is  the  recognized  Methodist  university  of  Ohio. 

"The  Board  of  Trustees  held  their  first  meeting 
at  Hamilton,  where  the  Ohio  Conference  was  in  ses- 
sion, October  i,  1842.  At  this  meeting  the  Board 
elected  the  Rev.  Edward  Thomson,  M.  D.,  to  the 
presidency,  with  the  understanding  that  the  appoint- 
ment was  but  nominal  for  the  present,  but  a  pledge  to 
the  Church  and  the  public  that  a  college  Faculty 
would  be  appointed,  and  the  college  opened  at  no  dis- 
tant day." 

The  Board  determined  to  continue  the  Preparatory 
Department,  which  the  committee  of  the  Conferences 
instituted  the  year  previous,  with  Captain  James  D. 
Cobb,  a  graduate  of  \\'est  Point,  as  instructor.     The 


II [G HER   EDUCATION  IN  METIIODISJL  245 

Board  appointed  Rev.  Solomon  Howard  as  principal, 
with  authority  to  employ  his  own  assistants.  He 
taught  the  school  successfully  for  two  years. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  again  convened  at  Dela- 
ware, on  September  25,  1844,  and  organized  a  Faculty, 
consisting  of  four  instructors.  The  following  appoint- 
ments were  made  to  positions  in  the  Faculty:  Rev. 
Herman  M.  Johnson,  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages; 
Rev.  Solomon  Howard,  Professor  of  Mathematics; 
William  G.  Williams.  Principal,  and  Enoch  G.  Dial, 
assistant  in  the  Preparatory  Department. 

The  old  ]^lansion  House  was  adapted  to  educa- 
tional uses,  and  the  school  formally  opened  on 
Wednesday,  November  13,  1844.  The  former  dining- 
room  of  the  jNIansion  House  was  temporarily  fitted 
up  for  a  chapel.  It  was  here  that  the  Faculty  met 
twenty-nine  students  for  enrollment  and  admission 
into  classes.  In  these  small  beginnings  there  were  no 
indications  of  failure.  Harvard  College  began  with 
twenty  students,  Yale  College  with  twenty-five,  and 
Columbia  College  w^ith  eight  students. 

The  college  campus  embraces  about  forty  acres, 
and  is  located  in  the  center  of  the  city,  and  is  made 
attractive  by  fine  lawns  and  shade-trees.  The  college 
buildings  are  noted  for  architectural  beauty  and  con- 
venience. Elliott  Hall,  known  as  the  old  Mansion 
House,  has  been  repaired  and  fitted  up  with  all  mod- 
ern improvements,  and  is  a  very  desirable  college 
building.  The  great  increase  of  students  in  1850  em- 
phasized the  need  of  a  chapel  and  additional  recitation- 
rooms.  An  appeal  was  made  to  the  Church  for  the 
necessary  funds,  which  met  with  a  prompt  response. 


2\6 


OHIO   METHODISM. 


The  corner-stone  was  laid  for  Thomson  Hall  on  July 
26,  1 85 1.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  the  first  president. 
It  was  55  by  88  feet.  The  structure  was  completed  the 
following-  year,  at  a  cost  of  $16,000.  Sturges  Library 
was  finished  and  dedicated  in  1856,  at  a  cost  of  $15,000. 
It  has  served  for  library  purposes  to  the  present  year. 
Monnett  Hall  was  erected  in  1857,  at  an  expense 


GRAY  CHAPEL  AND  ADMINISTRATION  BUILDING. 

of  $50,000,  and  g-reatly  enlarg-ed  and  beautified  in  1890 
for  a  like  amount.  The  building  as  it  now  stands  is 
two  hundred  feet  long  and  one  hundred  feet  wide  and 
four  stories  high,  and  capable  of  accommodating  two 
hundred  and  fifty  young  women.  Merrick  Hall  was 
completed  in  1873,  at  an  expense  of  $47,000.  It  is  a 
commodious  building  three  stories  high,  and  is  wdiolly 
devoted  to  science.     The  gymnasium  is  a  small,  but 


i[ii;nKR  Jinr CATION  in  mktiiodism.        247 

modern  structure,  with  the  latest  devices  for  gymnastic 
exercises. 

University  Hall  and  Gray  Chapel  was  completed  in 
1893.  It  is  a  massive  stone  building  of  Romanesque 
style,  and  cost  $176,000.  It  is  one  of  the  most  com- 
plete college  buildings  to  be  found  in  America.  Gray 
Chapel,  named  to  commemorate  the  life  of  Rev.  David 
Gray,  the  pioneer  preacher,  and  noble  father  of  D.  S. 
Gray,  Esq.,  of  Columl)us,  is  a  commodious  and  elegant 
auditorium  that  will  seat  twenty-five  hundred  people. 
It  is  here  the  students  meet  daily  for  religious  worship 
and  instruction,  and  in  lecture  courses  and  concerts 
hear  some  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  the  Nation. 
I'>om  this  rallying  center  of  the  university  life  goes 
forth  an  intellectual,  social,  and  spiritual  power  which 
touches  literally  every  continent  on  the  globe. 

The  university  has  what  is  regarded,  by  those  com- 
petent to  speak,  the  model  college  library  building  of 
America.  The  Slocum  Library,  opened  to  students 
in  1897,  is  a  beautiful  stone  structure  of  classic  de- 
sign, and  perfectly  fireproof  throughout.  The  build- 
ing has  a  capacity  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
volumes.  The  large  reading-room,  60  by  100  feet, 
is  admirably  lighted  and  ventilated.  The  interior  of 
the  building  is  well  equipped  and  adapted  to  the  end 
in  view.  This  building  stands  on  the  site  of  Thomson 
Hall,  which  was  taken  down  for  the  purpose.  The  stu- 
dents find  here  the  best  facilities  for  gathering  infor- 
mation on  the  great  variety  of  sul^jccts  treasured  up 
in  the  many  thousand  volumes  found  within  these 
classic  walls. 

The  Museum  embraces  five  different  cabinets.     In 


248 


OHIO   METHODISM, 


1859  the  university  purchased  from  William  Prcscott, 
of  Concord,  New  Hampshire,  his  large  cabinet  of 
biology,  valued  at  $10,000.  Numerous  additions  have 
since  been  made  to  the  cabinet  by  Dr.  R.  P.  Mann,  of 
Milford  Center;  William  Wood,  of  Cincinnati;  and 
\\'.  R.  Walker,  of  Columbus,  and  others.  The  Geo- 
logical and  Archaeological  collections  contain  more 
than  one  hundred  thousand  rare  and  valuable  speci- 


—^^~^-    If  IMP 


^plli&fllii 
Miiidlitiliil 


SLOCUM  LIBRARY. 

mens.    It  is  now  one  of  the  richest  museums  and  cabi- 
nets of  natural  history  in  the  V.'cst. 

The  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  began  its  educa- 
tional work  without  any  permanent  funds  for  the  sup- 
port of  teachers.  This  popular  institution  was  not  es- 
tablished by  the  l)enefactions  of  a  few  persons.  A 
portion  of  the  grounds  and  buildings  were  donated; 
but  the  university  started  with  a  debt,  and  for 
years  was   obliged   to   struggle   to   meet  the   current 


IIIUIIKR   EDUCATION  IX  AfJCri/OD/SJ/.  249 

expenses.  It  was  not  until  1849  tliat  the  indebtedness 
for  purchase  money  was  paid.  The  college  has  grown 
up  by  slow  degrees,  depending  largely  upon  the  small 
offerings  of  those  who,  for  the  love  of  Christ  and  his 
cause,  have  made  sacrifices  to  establish  a  college 
where  even  the  poorest  young  men  and  women  might 
enjoy  the  best  educational  advantages,  and  have  their 
latent  desires  for  Christian  usefulness  fanned  into  a 
holy  enthusiasm. 

In  1843,  Revs.  Frederick  ]\Ierrick  and  Uriah  Heath 
w^ere  appointed  agents  to  raise  funds  from  donations 
to  the  university,  or  by  sale  of  scholarships.  In  the 
course  of  two  years  they  had  secured  subscriptions, 
notes,  lands,  and  cash,  whose  value  aggregates 
$65,000.  In  1849,  six  years  after  the  university 
was  founded,  the  total  net  assets  were  estimated  at 
$70,000^  and  of  this  amount  the  endowment  money 
and  subscriptions  were  only  $54,000.  At  this  time  a 
more  effective  policy  for  raising  funds,  through 
sale  of  scholarships,  was  proposed.  These  scholar- 
ships were  of  several  varieties,  securing  free  tuition 
for  one  student  at  a  time  for  three,  four,  six,  and  eight 
years,  and  costing  severally,  fifteen,  twenty,  twenty- 
five,  and  thirty  dollars. 

By  the  year  1854  there  were  nearly  four  thousand 
scholarships  sold,  calling  for  more  than  twenty-five 
thousand  years  of  tuition.  A  sufficient  sum  was  thus 
secured  to  raise  the  endowment  to  $100,000,  witii  an 
annual  income  of  $8,500.  The  introduction  of  the 
scholarship  system  advertised  the  school  and  increased 
the  attendance.  Hundreds  of  young  men  of  limited 
means  were  thus  induced  to  enter  college.     However, 


250  OHIO   METHODISM. 

as  the  sale  of  scholarships  increased,  the  revenue  from 
tuition  fees  was  cut  off,  and  the  university  was  depend- 
ent upon  the  income  from  endowment.  The  sale  of 
scholarships  has  recently  been  discontinued  with  a 
view  of  enlarging  the  revenue.  The  endowment  was 
slowly  and  steadily  increased  until  1866,  the  centennial 
year  of  American  Methodism,  when  it  aggregated 
more  than  $200,000. 

Within  the  past  five  years  the  material  improve- 
ments and  endowment  of  the  university  have  had  a  very 
marked  grow^th.  In  1897  the  grounds  of  the  uni- 
versity, with  the  buildings  upon  them,  were  valued 
at  $562,000;  and  the  endowment  fund  aggregated 
$492,934.  Of  this  amount  $200,000  is  subject  to  an- 
nuity, so  that  the  available  income  from  the  endow- 
ment fund  is  too  small  for  the  proper  support  of  this 
growing  university.  It  is  encouraging  to  note  that 
the  total  value  of  grounds  and  endowments  of  the 
university  aggregate  $1,055,000.  The  university,  in 
fifty  years,  has  reached  the  million-dollar  line.  It 
took  some  of  the  older  colleges  of  America  two  hun- 
dred years  to  attain  this  standard. 

The  university  should  have  $5,000,000  endow^ment 
to  enable  her  to  meet  the  providential  w^ork  of  the 
twentieth  century.  Wealthy  men  could  not  make  a 
better  use  of  their  money  than  by  giving  it  to  this 
university^  and  they  would  thus  do  a  great  and  glori- 
ous work  for  God  and  humanity. 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  university  increased  the 
sense  of  want  for  a  college  for  women.  The  pro- 
priety of  the  co-education  of  the  sexes  in  the  higher 
schools  of  learning  fifty  years  ago  w^as  regarded  with 


nn.IIHR    JIDUCATION  I.\  MKTIIODISM.  251 

little  favor  by  the  Church  or  college.  Rev.  Wm.  Gris- 
sell  and  wife  came  to  Delaware  in  1850,  and  bought 
the  old  academy  building  on  University  Avenue,  and 
opened  a  school  for  women.  The  attendance  was  en- 
couraging. In  1852  the  property  was  bought  by  cit- 
izens interested  in  the  education  of  women,  and  the 
Delaware  Female  College  was  organized.  A  more 
eligible  site  was  soon  needed.  Accordingly,  in  April 
of  the  following  year^  a  public  subscription  for  $7,000 
was  taken  to  purchase  the  homestead  of  i\Ir.  William 
L.ittle.  This  beautiful  and  romantic  site,  on  which 
was  a  large  and  commodious  house,  gave  ample  ac- 
commodations to  the  college.  The  school  was  incor- 
porated under  the  name  of  the  Ohio  JVcsIcyan  Female 
College,  and  the  property  was  accepted  l)y  the  North 
Ohio,  and  afterwards  by  the  other  Conferences  in 
Ohio,  as  joint  patrons  with  equal  rights  and  privileges. 

The  continued  growth  of  the  school  led  to  the 
erection  of  a  central  block  and  wings,  now  known  as 
"INIonnett  Hall,"  named  in  honor  of  ^liss  ^lary  Alon- 
nett,  who,  in  1857,  donated  ten  thousand  dollars 
towards  the  building  fund.  The  school  from  the  be- 
ginning became  self-supporting.  Classical  and  scien- 
tific courses  of  study  were  offered,  and  degrees  con- 
ferred. The  graduates  in  the  college  numbered,  in 
1875,  niore  than  four  hundred. 

The  friends  of  co-education  had  long  hoped  that 
this  institution  would  be  united  with  the  university, 
and  for  this  they  steadily  worked.  The  pressure  of 
public  sentiment  in  this  direction  had  advanced  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  when,  in  1877,  it  was  decided  to 
unite  the  two  schools.     The  union  at  once  brought 


252 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


to  the  university  $100,000  worth  of  property,  and 
added  nearly  two  hundred  students  to  her  enrollment. 
Experience  has  confirmed  the  wisdom  of  this  action. 
It  has  added  to  the  influence  of  the  university,  and 
kept  her  abreast  of  the  growing  sentiment  in  favor 
of  the  co-education  of  the  sexes. 

The  movement  in  favor  of  the  higher  education 


MONNETT  HALL. 

of  women,  and  especially  of  co-education,  is  gaining 
almost  universal  acceptance.  Two-thirds  of  the  col- 
leges in  the  United  States  admit  women,  and  the  re- 
sults show  that  it  has  been  eminently  beneficial  to 
society.  Co-education  in  this  university  is  based  upon 
perfectly  equal  terms,  and  occasions  no  unanticipated 
anxiety  or  difficulty.  The  young  women  do  their  work 
in  the  recitation-room  and  at  examinations  with  as 
much  ease  and  credit  as  the  young  men,  and  their 


HIGHER   EDUCATION  IN  METHODISM.  253 

health  improves  rather  than  deteriorates  as  they  pass 
from  the  lower  to  the  higher  classes. 

The  university  has  been  fortunate  in  the  selection 
of  her  presidents.  We  briefly  sketch  the  career  of  each 
of  the  four  prominent  men  who  have  filled  this  office. 
The  first  president  was: 

The  Rev.  Edward  Thomson,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  born 
in  1810,  died  1870.  He  possessed  remarkaljle  ability 
as  an  educator,  writer,  and  preacher.  He  received  a 
classical  training,  and  likewise  graduated  in  medicine. 
He  spent  six  years  in  the  itinerant  ministry;  six  years 
as  principal  of  A'orzcalk  Seminary;  two  years  as  editor 
of  the  Ladies'  Repository;  fourteen  years  as  president  of 
the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University;  four  years  as  editor 
of  the  Christian  Advocate,  and  was  six  years  a  bishop 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  At  one  time  he 
was  offered  the  presidency  of  the  E^niversity  of  Alichi- 
gan,  but  preferred  to  remain  in  the  service  of  the 
Church  he  loved.  He  had  a  delicate  frame,  classical 
features,  modest  bearing,  and  an  erect,  manly  carriage. 
His  high  scholarship,  broad  sympathy,  eloquence,  and 
devotion  were  everywhere  recognized.  His  published 
lectures  are  faultless  in  style,  and  models  of  strong, 
clear  thought  and  beauty  of  expression.  He  assumed 
the  active  duties  as  president  and  professor  of  Phi- 
losophy in  the  university  in  1846.  "Eor  fourteen 
years,"  says  Professor  Williams,  "he  filled  and  graced 
this  office.  Xo  college  president  in  the  Church  has 
shown  larger  administrative  abilities  or  won  a  more 
enviable  place  in  the  affections  and  admiration  of 
college  and  Church  alike.  The  depth,  beauty,  and 
fervor  of  his  Sunday  lectures  gave  him  a  wonderful 


254  OHIO   METHODISM. 

power,  and  left   a  lasting  impression   of  his  thought 
and  spirit  on  his  rapt  listeners." 

Rev.  Frederick  Merrick,  D.  D.,  LL.  D,,  was  born 
in  1810,  and  was  educated  in  the  Wesleyan  University, 
Middletown,  Connecticut.  He  was  elected  professor 
of  Natural  Science  in  the  university  in  1845.  He  was 
chosen  president,  to  succeed  Bishop  Thomson,  in  i860. 
He  held  the  office  thirteen  years,  Init  owing  to  failing 
health  resigned,  and  was  appointed  lecturer  of  Natural 
and  Revealed  Religion.  His  profound  scholarship  and 
purity  of  character  have  given  him  an  unusual  in- 
fluence with  the  many  friends  and  students  of  the 
university. 

Rev.  Charles  H.  Payne,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  was  bom 
in  1830,  and  graduated  in  1856  at  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity. He  occupied  several  important  positions  in 
the  Church  until  1876,  when  he  assumed  the  active 
duties  of  president  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University. 
He  is  a  vigorous  thinker,  a  magnetic  speaker,  and  a 
good  writer.  During  his  administration  there  was  a 
marked  increase  in  the  attendance  of  students.  In 
1888  he  was  elected  by  the  General  Conference  to 
the  secretaryship  of  the  Educational  Society  of  the 
Church,  where  his  commanding  abilities  find  an  ample 
field  for  usefulness. 

'  Rev.  James  W.  Bashford,  Ph.  D.,  D.  D.,  was  born 
in  1849.  ^^  received  a  classical  training  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  \\^isconsin,  and  afterward  took  post-graduate 
courses  of  study  in  theolog>%  oratory,  and  philosophy, 
in  Boston  University.  He  extended  his  knowledge 
and  experience  by  taking  two  extended  trips  abroad. 
He  had  ten  years'  experience  in  the  pastorate  before 


256  oino  METiioins.rr. 

accepting  the  presidency  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity in  1889,  which  position  he  now  fills  \\\\h  great 
acceptability. 

The  university  has  always  been  a  nursery  of  true 
scholarship.  The  course  of  study  for  the  first  year 
was  confined  mainly  to  languages  and  mathematics. 
The  following  year  a  chair  of  Natural  Science  was 
established,  and  President  Thomson  occupied  the 
chair  of  Philosophy.  Even  this  limited  Faculty  was 
able  to  give  some  instruction  in  all  the  subjects  which 
go  to  make  a  complete  and  symmetric  culture.  The 
educational  idea  of  the  university  is  progressive.  The 
means  of  knowledge  has  greatly  enlarged  w^ithin  half 
a  century.  The  new  fields  of  science,  history,  philoso- 
phy, and  languages,  opening  up  to  the  student  new 
hues  of  investigation,  have  claimed  the  interest  and 
encouragement  of  the  university.  The  courses  of 
study,  from  time  to  time,  have  been  adjusted  to  meet 
the  growth  of  the  sciences  and  the  new^  life  of  an  ever- 
widening  scholarship.  These  courses  are  scientifically 
graded,  extending  through  a  period  of  four  years, 
and  touch  nearly  every  department  of  human  knowl- 
edge. 

The  university  now  presents  extended  courses  of 
study  in  collegiate  lines.  Besides  these  there  are 
special  courses  in  music,  fine  arts,  elocution  and  ora- 
torv,  and  methods  of  business.  Philosophy  is  an  in- 
tegral part  of  the  college  course,  and  the  Natural 
Sciences  department  offers  enlarged  facilities.  The 
system  of  studies  is  being  developed  along  the  lines 
of  modern  thought  and  activity.     The  university  is 


hr;iier  education  in  Methodism.       257 

keeping-  abreast  of  the  demands  of  the  day  in  her 
eollege  work,  and  will  move  forward  with  a  progress- 
ive activity,  and  enlarge  the  scope  as  fast  as  her 
resources  will  justify. 

The  university  adopts  the  most  effective  methods 
of  instruction  to  economize  the  student's  time  and 
powers.  The  students  are  trained  to  direct  their  facul- 
ties by  self-conscious  eiifort,  and  thus  acquire  habits 
of  philosophical  investigation.  I'hey  are  to  discover 
principles  that  will  be  the  key  to  all  investigations  as 
future  occupation  or  inclination  may  lead  them.  The 
ideas  and  principles  are  taught  likewise  with  reference 
to  giving  direction   and  purpose  to  character. 

Personal  contact  of  professors  and  students  is  an 
important  factor  in  teaching.  This  is  effectively  done 
by  dividing  the  classes,  as  they  do  at  the  best  uni- 
versities in  England  and  Scotland,  into  sections  num- 
bering about  thirty  or  forty  students  in  each  class. 

The  teaching  force  has  necessarily  been  increased 
to  meet  the  increase  of  students  and  the  multiplica- 
tion of  classes.  Fifty  years  ago  the  university  began 
with  four  professors,  and  there  are  now  more  than 
forty  professors  and  instructors.  Several  able  pro- 
fessors have  been  added  to  the  Faculty.  It  is  the  teach- 
ers that  make  a  college.  If  the  professors  are  men 
of  force  of  character  and  scholarshij).  and  carry  into 
their  recitation-rooms  high  enthusiasm,  they  will  thrill 
the  class  with  a  subtle  and  suggestive  power  which 
will  incite  thought  and  awaken  and  vivify  character. 

The  university  has  sought  to  place  the   students 
under  instructors  of  the  highest  ability  and  character- 
17 


258  OHIO   METHODISM. 

ized  by  the  spirit  of  investigation.  Their  uphfting 
and  animating  influences  have  been  felt  by  the  stu- 
dents. They  have  been  distinguished  for  their  zeal 
and  efficiency  as  teachers.  Their  lofty  faith  in  Chris- 
tianity and  tlicir  earnest  effort  in  looking  after  the 
mental  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  students  have  borne 
perennial  fruit. 

The  enrollment  of  the  students  for  the  first  year 
was  one  hundred  and  ten,  from  which  number  the 
attendance  gradually  increased  to  two  hundred  and 
fifty-seven  in  1848.  The  large  sale  of  cheap  scholar- 
ships widened  the  circle  of  the  patronage  of  the  uni- 
versitv,  and  the  following  year  the  enrollment  ran  up 
to  five  hundred  and  six.  At  the  close  of  the  first 
decade  there  was  an  attendance  of  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-three  students.  The  attendance  continued  about 
the  same  until  the  last  decade,  when  there  was  quite 
an  advance.  She  now  has  more  students  in  her  col- 
lege classes  than  any  other  college  in  Ohio,  or  in  all 
Methodism.  The  1,271  students  enrolled  in  1897 
represented  eighty-four  of  the  eighty-eight  counties 
in  Ohio,  more  that  thirty  States  in  the  Union,  and 
ten  foreign  countries. 

11ie  moral  government  of  the  university  is  li1)eral, 
vet  firm.  The  students  in  the  university  are  distin- 
guislied  for  tlicir  good  conduct  and  morals.  The 
sovereign  force  is  the  high  standard  of  moral  char- 
acter and  general  honor.  The  students  enter  the  uni- 
vcrsitv  with  good  reconmiendations,  and  are  received 
as  ladies  and  gentlemen.  They  are  trusted  to  con- 
duct themselves  as  such ;  but  if  they  fail  to  fulfill  their 


HIGHER   EDUCAriON  IN  METHODISM,  259 

obligation,  they  forfeit  their  right  to  remain.  This 
freedom  rarely  proves  perilous.  The  students  have 
always  been  vigorously  restrained  from  attending 
theaters,  saloons,  and  public  houses.  The  president 
and  professors  seek  to  deal  individually  with  any 
careless  and  reckless  students,  and  lead  them  to  a 
higher  life. 

The  students  endeavor  to  maintain  among  them- 
selves good  order  and  decorum.  The  feeling  of  con- 
tempt for  vice  and  extravagance  grows  as  the  student 
remains  in  college.  Delaware  is  a  center  of  elevating 
influences  which  are  soon  felt  by  the  student.  The 
university  life  is  molded  by  a  noble  spirit  into  a  homo- 
geneous community,  into  which  the  student  may  come 
and  have  the  current  of  his  own  thought  and  life 
guided  onward  and  upward.  In  this  atmosphere  of 
social  refinement  and  moral  and  religious  earnestness 
the  moral  character  is  not  only  invigorated,  but  the 
student  is  stimulated  to  diligent  application  in  study. 

The  university  is  a  center  of  evangelical  power. 
No  year  in  her  history  has  passed  without  a  gracious 
revival.  These  meetings  have  large  audiences  of 
attentive  and  thoughtful  students. 

Through  all  the  channels  of  culture  and  discipline 
there  goes  a  strong  moral  and  religious  current.  Aside 
from  this,  the  Bible  is  chiefly  expounded  in  the  daily 
chapel  service,  and  is  studied  in  Hebrew,  in  Greek,  and 
in  English  in  the  class-rooms.  This  work  is  su])ple- 
mented  by  Bible  classes  on  Sundav,  in  which  the 
student  is  led  to  appropriate  the  truth  and  life  the 
Book   contains.     The   result  is  a  greater   intellectual 


26o  OHIO   METHODISM. 

grasp  of  the  l]ible  and  a  fortified  and  intelligent  faith, 
which  becomes  the  foundation  for  an  increased  humil- 
ity, reverence,  and  devotion. 

The  traditions  as  well  as  the  moral  and  intellectual 
atmosphere  of  the  university  is  exemplified  in  the 
Alumni  and  students. 

The  majority  of  her  students  fill  ])ositions  of  trust, 
and  exert  a  wholesome  influence  in  the  Church,  the 
State,  and  society.  Her  powder  and  credit  to-day  rests 
upon  the  character  and  public  efficiency  of  her  Alumni 
and  students.  They  are  found  in  all  vocations  of  life, 
and  as  a  class  become  ef^cient  helpers  in  the  Church, 
Sunday-school,  and  social  reform  movements.  These 
students  are  the  living  monuments  of  her  strength  and 
grandeur. 

The  university  has  an  individuality  of  which  she 
may  w'ell  be  proud.  The  spirit  and  vigor  of  the  pres- 
ident, professors,  and  students  are  the  elements  wdiich 
enter  into  college  life,  and  help  determine  its  type. 
Certain  historic  conditions  and  social  environments 
have  contributed  to  develop  the  type  of  the  college, 
wdiich  in  turn  molds  the  individual.  This  type  or 
individualitv  of  a  college  is  the  result  of  growth,  and 
is  an  important  factor  in  education;  and  in  a  large 
m.easure  shapes  ideals,  and  gives  quality  to  the  char- 
acter of  the  students. 

The  livinof  force  and  character  of  the  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan  University  is  easier  felt  than  expressed.  One 
of  the  characteristic  ideals  is  earnestness  of  purpose. 
The  trustees  show  it  in  their  readiness  to  provide  the 
amplest  facilities  for  the  broadest  culture.     The  pres- 


HIGHER   EDUCATION  IN  MErilODISM.  26 1 

ident  and  professors  are  earnest  in  their  work  as 
teachers  and  investigators.  The  students  do  not  come 
because  they  are  sent,  but  with  ardent  souls  and  a 
high  determined  purpose. 

Another  characteristic  ideal  is  a  syuiuictrically  dc- 
Z'clopcd  inanhood  and  zvouianhood.  She  believes  that 
education  fundamentally  wrong  that  does  not  develop 
the  spiritual  nature  along  with  the  physical  and  intel- 
lectual life.  She  acts  upon  the  principle  that  spirit- 
uality does  not  hinder,  but  promotes  true  scholarshi],\ 
and  gives  purpose  and  impulse  to  duty,  and  makes 
the  student's  work  hopeful  and  attractive. 

One  of  the  foremost  ideals  is  that  of  consecrating 
the  individual  talents  to  the  highest  service.  Education 
is  a  means  to  this  end.  Life  with  any  narrower  pur- 
pose is  a  failure.  The  aim  is  both  scientific  and  prac- 
tical. The  students  are  stimulated  to  unite  with  sta- 
bility of  character,  intelligence  and  refinement,  prac- 
tical activity,  and  general  usefulness.  They  are  made 
to  feel  that  the  university  exists  to  help  each  one  to 
come  into  such  relations  to  the  concrete  life  of  hu- 
manity that  each  will  be  sensitive  and  responsive  to 
the  great  interest  of  the  human  race. 

These  ideals  are  summed  up  in  the  expressive 
motto  of  the  university  as  given  by  President  Bash- 
ford:  ''Every  one  at  his  best,  and  the  zvorld  for  Christ." 
With  such  high  ideals  kept  before  the  student,  it  is 
not  to  be  wondered  that  the  Alunmi  and  former  stu- 
dents have  had  such  brilliant  records  in  all  vocations 
of  life,  and  on  every  continent  on  the  globe.  It  is  an 
omen   of  good   that   the  whole   university   is   instinct 


262  OHIO  METHODISM. 

with  life,  energy,  and  aspiration  for  the  highest 
service. 

The  possibihties  of  the  university  are  the  very  best. 
Her  high  grade  of  scholarship,  and  the  army  of  noble 
}oung  men  and  women  that  have  gone  forth  to  grace 
the  home  and  bless  the  human  race,  challenge  com- 
parison with  any  other  college  of  equal  resources  in 
the  land. 

The  eminent  scholars,  statesmen,  and  others  who 
are  familiar  with  the  inw^ard  life  of  the  university,  have 
said  that  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  represents  the 
highest  form  of  Christian  education,  and  is  an  ex- 
ponent of  the  best  forces  of  Christian  thought  and 
activity.  Perhaps  no  institution  of  learning  has 
richer  possibilities  of  growth. 

It  w^as  through  the  prayers  and  sacrifices  of  the 
pioneer  fathers  that  the  university  was  planted.  The 
university  was  born  and  baptized  with  the  hope  and 
purpose  that  she  should  become  a  pow^erful  agency 
for  promoting  the  cause  of  Christ  in  the  world.  In 
view  of  this,  it  would  be  treachery  to  the  Church  and 
sacrilege  before  God  if  the  Christian  people  do  not 
continue  to  make  her  an  aggressive  power  for  Christ 
and  the  Church.  With  a  vision  of  the  w^onderful  pos- 
sibilities of  the  twentieth  century  before  the  Ohio 
Methodists,  let  them  devoutly  pray  that  the  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan University,  the  child  of  Providence  and  the  hope 
and  pride  of  her  friends,  may  continue  to  shed  her  light 
and  beneficence  with  increasing  luster  through  com- 
ing years. 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  endowment  and 


HIGHER   EDUCATIOX  LV  .VETHOD/S.lf. 


263 


numerical  streiii^th  of  Methodist  colleges  in  Ohio  for 

1897: 


COLLEGES. 


Baldwin  University,,    .    .    .  $131,564  $109,944  $44,083  19    326 

German  Wallace  College,    .  71)47,5      7i,4^o      ...  7     163 

Mt.  Union  College,  ....  200,000       75,000       1,300  19.   462 

Scio  College, 35,000    .......  17    477 

Ohio  We.sleyan  University,  .  562,000     492,934    43,000  98  1271 


Total, I !  $1,000,019  $749,358;  $88,3831 160I2689 


The  work  of  the  Church  is  to  evangelize  the  world. 
Christian  education  is  closely  allied  to  thfs  great  work. 
The  founding  of  Kingswood  School  in  England,  and 
the  estal:)lishing  of  Cokesbury  College  in  America, 
in  the  early  history  of  the  Church,  attests  the  fact  that 
Methodism  ]:)elieves  education  to  be  of  prime  im- 
portance to  her  growth  and  success.  The  zeal  and 
sacrifice  of  the  Methodist  Church,  from  her  earliest 
history  to  the  present  day,  for  l)uilding  up  her  edu- 
cational institutions,  shows  how  vital  they  are  regarded 
in  extending  the  work  of  the  Master. 

Methodism  is  in  many  ways  adapted  to  leadership 
in  the  field  of  university  education.  President  W.  F. 
Warren  says: 

''This  adaptation  is  seen  in  a  multitude  of  par- 
ticulars, no  one  of  which  can  at  this  time  be  adequately 
treated,  and  but  few  of  which  can  even  l)e  named. 
I  will  barelv  enumerate:  First,   ?^lethodist  anthropol- 


264  OHIO   METHODISM. 

ogy.  ...  A  second  characteristic,  qualifying 
Ecumenical  Methodism  for  educational  leadership  is 
seen  in  its  exceptionally  cosmopolitan  spirit  and  aim. 
.  .  .  A  third  thing,  adapting  Ecumenical  Method- 
ism to  the  proposed  world-leadership,  is  its  intelligent 
grasp  of  vital  sociological  principles.  ...  A 
fourth  adaptation  for  this  providential  call  is  seen  in 
the  number,  the  pecuniary  resources,  and  the  geo- 
graphical distribution  of  Ecumenical  Methodism. 
.  .  .  I  hasten  to  mention,  as  a  fifth  and  final  quali- 
fication for  world-leadership,  our  appreciation  of  the 
Divine  element  in  all  true  and  lofty  education. 
.  .  .  Man's  true  life  being  from  God,  and  in  God, 
and  unto  God,  all  culture  processes  which  recognize 
and  utilize  this  fact  lay  hold  of  aims  and  motives  and 
forces  whose  constant  evolutionary  eiBcacy  and 
whose  successive  outcomes  transcend  all  finite  cal- 
culation." 

The  magnitude  and  efficiency  of  the  Methodist 
forces  make  it  imperative  to  put  Christian  education 
at  the  forefront  and  thought  of  the  people.  The 
Church  must  continue  to  put  forth  heroic  efforts  for 
her  colleges  in  order  that  her  youth  may  receive 
Christian  culture  for  leadership  in  all  great  intellect- 
ual and  religious  movements  of  the  twentieth  century. 


Chapter  IX. 


WAKENED  mind  demands  reading,  especially  Methodist 
mind.  Whence  comes  the  impulse?  Wesley  was  a  prodigy 
as  a  book  producer.  He  published  one  hundred  and  nineteen  vol- 
umes, including  grammars  of  English,  French,  Latin,  Greek,  and 
Hebrew.  He  published  fifty-two  works  of  poetry,  and  five  on  mu- 
sic and  collections  of  tunes.  With  such  an  origin,  it  is  not  strange 
that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  should  publish  from  its  Book 
Concern  more  than  one-half  of  all  the  denominational  religious 
literature  issued  in  this  country  in  the  past  hundred  years.  Put  the 
religious  literature  of  our  Church  in  one  scale,  and  all  the  literature 
of  the  Baptist,  Presbyterian,  and  Congregational  Churches  in  the 
other  scale,  and  then  add  the  enormous  publications  of  the  Amer- 
ican Bible  Society  in  the  same  scale,  and  the  many  kick  the  beam. 
The  one  outweighs  them  all." — Bishop  Henry  IT.   Warren. 

"p^kNE  of  the  reasons  why  our  people  should  take  one  or  more  of 
o  the  Advocates  has  to  do  with  tlie  benevolent  work  of  the 
Church.  I  heard  the  late  Dr.  Durbin  once  say  that  after  years  of 
study  given  to  the  missionary  enterprise,  he  had  found  out  that 
the  circulation  of  the  Ach'ocafes  was  one  of  the  chief  factors  in  that 
great  benevolence.  The  people  who  read  find  out  what  is  going 
on ;  they  are  prepared  to  understand  the  appeals  that  are  made  ; 
they  give  intelligently.  All  other  things  being  equal,  the  best 
collections  come  from  those  charges  which  take  the  largest  num- 
ber of  Church  papers." — Bishop   Thomas  Bowman. 

266 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  Clnircli  of  Wesley  lias  never  forgotten  its 
origin.  IJorn  and  nurtnred  in  a  eollege,  it  has 
from  the  first  given  attention  to  education.  The  ear- 
liest leaders  of  the  Metliodists  were  soldiers  well 
versed  in  literature  and  ])hi]()so])h\",  and,  in  esta1)lish- 
ing  societies  of  their  own,  they  took  steps  to  train 
their  members  in  the  common  and  higher  branches 
of  learning.  In  England,  Mr.  Wesley  founded  sev- 
eral institutions  for  the  education  of  children  and 
youth;  and  after  jMethodism  was  transplanted  in 
America,  Bishops  Coke  and  Asl^ury  founded  a  school 
at  Abingdon,  in  Maryland. 

The  first  itinerants  in  this  country,  though  men 
not  trained  in  colleges  or  theological  schools,  were 
masters  of  the  Arminian  system  of  theology,  and  they 
knew  how  to  preach  it.  Yet  some  of  them  were 
scholars  equal  to  the  best.  Bishop  Asbury  carried 
with  him  on  his  journeys  his  Greek  Testament  and 
Hebrew  Bible;  John  Dickins,  the  founder  of  the 
Methodist  Book  Concern  in  Philadelphia,  had  been 
a  pupil  at  Eton;  James  B.  Finley  was  familiar  with 
the  Latin  classics,  and  could  repeat  whole  pages  of 
Virgil  and  Horace;  Francis  Poythress  was  at  the 
head  of  an  academy  of  high  grade,  and  John  P. 
Durbin  and  Henry  B.  Bascom,  who  began  their  min- 
istry in  the  backwoods  of  Ohio, rose  to  become, the  one 
the  president  of  a  college,  and  the  other  the  president 
of  a  university,  and  to  command  the  respect  of  the 

267 


268  OHIO   METHODISM. 

finest  thinkers  of  America  for  their  published  writ- 
ings.    So  of  many  others. 

While  our  itinerant  preachers,  thrust  into  the  work 
by  the  call  of  the  Divine  Spirit  and  the  order  of  the 
Church,  had  few  opportunities  and  less  time  for  a 
collegiate  or  even  a  high-school  training,  they  were 
fair  English  scholars.  They  studied  their  theology 
in  the  sermons  and  doctrinal  tracts  of  John  Wesley 
and  the  hymns  of  his  brother  Charles;  they  carried 
with  them  in  their  saddlebags  their  pocket  Bible,  the 
Discipline,  and  the  Hymn-book;  and  if  perchance 
these  volumes  constituted  their  entire  library,  from 
them  they  obtained  their  spiritual  weapons  of  warfare 
which,  through  God,  were  mighty  to  the  pulling  down 
of  strongholds. 

Knowledge  and  piety  are  necessary  adjuncts;  and 
though  unlettered  men  have  often  been  instruments 
in  the  hands  of  God  of  converting  souls,  no  Church 
has  ever  been  permanently  edified  by  an  ignorant 
priesthood.  Ignorance  is  not  the  mother  of  devo- 
tion, nor  are  revivals  of  religion  confined  to  the  un- 
educated. It  is  the  glory  of  Christianity  that  it  is 
so  simple  that  a  child  can  understand  it,  and  yet  so 
profound  that  a  philosopher  can  not  fathom  its 
depths.  It  compasses  the  entire  race  of  mankind,  and 
adapts  itself  equally  to  the  palace  and  the  hovel,  to 
the  loftiest  and  the  humblest.  But  its  teachers  should 
have  a  correct  judgment  in  Divine  things,  a  proper 
conception  of  salvation  by  faith,  and  a  clear  under- 
standing of  the  meaning  of  God's  Word,  else  they  can 
not  rightly  instruct  those  who  sit  under  their  min- 
istry.    From  the  first  our  Methodist  preachers  have 


LITERATURE   AND   rUBLISlJlNG   HOUSE.        269 

made  diligent  inquiry  at  their  Conferences  concern- 
ing those  who  feh  themselves  called  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  sought  admission  into  their  ranks,  as  to 
their  gifts  as  well  as  to  their  graces;  and  for  many 
years  courses  of  study  have  been  laid  down  which 
all  licentiates  nuist  complete  before  they  arc  admitted 
to  ordination.  Thus,  though  the  Church  recjuires 
certain  qualifications  in  those  who  would  enter  into  its 
ministry,  it  is  not  open  to  the  imputation  of  having 
a  man-made  priesthood. 

Throughout  all  the  ages  the  complaint  of  God 
against  his  ancient  Church  has  proved  true:  "Aly 
people  are  destroyed  for  lack  of  knowledge."  The 
influence  of  clergy  and  laity  has  been  mutual,  and  we 
may  convert  the  Scripture  proverb,  "Like  people,  like 
priest,"  and  it  will  be  equally  true,  "Like  priest,  like 
people."  Where  the  leaders  of  the  Church  walk,  the 
members  of  the  Church  follow'.  This  is  the  order  of 
Divine  providence.  The  apostles  counseled  the  elders 
to  be  ''ensamples  to  the  flock,"  not  only  in  things 
spiritual,  but  in  other  matters;  and  no  man  in  mod- 
ern times  has  better  obeyed  this  injunction  than  did 
]\lr.  \\'csley.  h^or  the  purpose  of  more  fully  instruct- 
ing his  societies  in  the  tilings  of  God,  he  subsidized 
the  press.  He  was  the  hrst  to  publish  small  religious 
works  at  a  price  which  put  them  within  the  reach  of 
all.  ]\lost  of  his  own  writings  w^ere  thus  issued. 
Alany  were  in  the  form  of  penny  tracts,  so  that  the 
poorest  could  ])urchase  them.  In  1771  to  1774  he 
published  an  edition  of  his  own  works  in  weekly  parts 
of  seventy-two  pages,  stitched  in  paper  covers,  and 
sold  at  sixpence  each.     They  were  afterward  issued 


270  OHIO   METHODISM. 

in  thirty-two  small  volumes.  The  example  thus  set 
by  Mr.  Wesley  was  followed  a  few  years  ago  with 
great  success  by  the  "Society  for  the  Diffusion  of 
Useful  Knowledge,"  which  distri1)uted  their  own  pub- 
lications in  serial  parts,  ranging  in  price  from  a  penny 
upward.  It  is  this  price  which  gives  name  to  the 
'Tenny  Cyclopedia,"  one  of  the  best  cyclopedias  of 
general  information  ever  issued. 

Mr.  Wesley's  first  ventures  were  not  financially 
successful.  Speaking  of  his  own  edition  of  his  works 
just  referred  to,  he  says:  'T  have  labored  as  much  as 
many  writers;  and  all  my  labor  has  gained  me  in  sev- 
enty years  a  debt  of  five  or  six  hundred  pounds."  In 
later  years,  however,  he  found  that  his  cheap  publi- 
cations brought  him  in  a  large  income.  He  created  an 
appetite  for  reading  among  his  people,  and  as  his 
societies  grew,  the  demand  for  his  books  became 
enormous. 

But  not  only  were  Mr.  Wesley's  own  writings 
printed  in  this  cheap  form,  but  he  undertook  the  pub- 
lication of  other  standard  works  in  other  departments 
of  literature.  He  compiled  a  History  of  England  and 
an  Ecclesiastical  History,  each  in  four  volumes;  a 
Natural  Philosophy,  in  five  volumes ;  a  work  on  medi- 
cal practice  ("Primitive  Physic")  which  received  the 
commendation  of  several  eminent  surgeons;  and  a 
series  entitled  "A  Christian  Library,  Consisting  of  Ex- 
tracts from  and  Al)ri(lgements  of  the  Choicest  Pieces 
of  Practical  Divinity  Which  Have  Been  Published 
in  the  English  Tongue,"  in  fifty  volumes.  These  were 
all  sold  at  a  comparatively  low  price.  In  a  list,  printed 
about  1780,  of  two  hundred  and  sixty  separate  publi- 


LI'lKRATrRE   AM)    I'll;  LISl  1 1 M .    IIOl'SK.        27  I 

cations,  including  single  sermons,  tracts,  narratives, 
and  sketches,  he  does  not  include  more  than  thirty 
which  arc  charged  above  one  shilling;  and  some  of 
tlicm  arc  as  low  as  a  half-penny. 

The  ])lan  devised  by  Mr.  Wesley,  of  issuing  cheap 
pamphlets  on  religious  subjects,  is  the  real  origin  of 
the  great  liritish  and  American  Tract  Societies.  He 
was  the  first  to  engage  in  this  enterprise;  and  in  pur- 
suance of  his  plan  he  undertook  the  publication  of 
a  monthly  magazine,  the  first  number  of  which  was 
published  in  January,  1778.  It  was  entitled  The  Ar- 
minian  Magazine,  as  being  the  exponent  of  the  system 
of  theology  embraced  by  him,  and  it  has  been  con- 
tinuctl  without  interruption  ever  since.  It  is  now 
known  as  The  W esleyaii-M cthodist  Magazine.  In  order 
to  secure  the  proper  distribution  of  Methodist  litera- 
ture, and  indoctrinate  the  people  in  ^lethodist  senti- 
ments, he  charged  his  preachers  to  "take  care  that 
every  society  is  supplied  with  books."  To  Richard 
Rodda,  one  of  his  early  helpers,  he  wrote:  "You  are 
found  to  be  remarkably  diligent  in  spreading  the 
books.  Let  no  one  rob  you  of  this  glory.  If  you 
spread  the  j\Iaga::iiie,  it  will  do  good;  the  letters  therein 
are  the  marrow  of  the  gospel." 

After  the  organization  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
C  hurch  in  America,  lUshops  Coke  and  Asl^ury  fore- 
saw the  value  of  a  literature  exclusively  Alethodislic 
in  its  characler,  and  connnenced  the  publication  of 
an  .Intiiuiau  Magarjiiir,  so  named,  which  was  mainly 
a  reprint  of  the  one  established  in  England,  with  some 
original  matter  of  their  own.  All  of  the  Churches  then 
existing  in  this  country  were  unfriendly  to  Method- 


272  OHIO   METHODISM. 

ism;  but  tjie  rapid  progress  of  the  latter  compelled  it 
to  publish  not  only  apologetic  tracts,  but  works  in 
confutation  of  erroneous  doctrine.  At  the  Conference 
held  in  May,  1789,  at  LMiiladelpliia,  two  book-stewards, 
as  they  were  then  styled — to-wit:  John  Dickins  and 
Philip  Cox — were  appointed  to  superintend  the  pub- 
lication of  Methodist  books.  Mr.  Dickins  was  to  at- 
tend to  the  business  of  the  office  in  Philadelphia,  and 
Mr.  Cox  was  to  travel  at  large  among  the  societies, 
and  distribute  the  books  that  might  be  printed.  In 
this  work  the  latter  continued  for  three  years  or  more, 
until  his  death,  and  in  the  meanwhile  circulated  many 
hundreds  of  volumes.  This  was  the  beginning  of  our 
Book  Concern,  to  which  no  capital  had  been  sub- 
scribed or  paid  by  the  preachers,  and  to  which  Mr. 
Dickins  loaned  six  hundred  dollars  of  his  own  money. 
The  first  book  which  he  issued  was  Mr.  Wesley's 
edition  of  ''The  Imitation  of  Christ,"  by  Thomas  a 
Kempis,  a  work  widely  known  and  highly  esteemed 
among  all  denominations  of  Christians.  This  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  "Methodist  Discipline,"  Baxter's  "Saints' 
Everlasting  Rest,"  "Preachers'  Experience,"  "Min- 
utes of  Conferences,"  "Doctrinal  Tracts,"  "Hymn- 
book,"  and  others,  so  that  when  the  earliest  catalogue 
was  published,  in  1793,  it  contained  the  titles  of 
twenty-six  separate  works.  In  1893,  one  century  later, 
the  catalogue  contained  fully  twenty-five  hundred 
titles,  exclusive  of  the  Sunday-school  publications, 
which  number  probably  as  many  more.  And  in  this 
array  of  more  than  five  thousand  books  nearly  every 
department  of  human  thought  is  represented,  except 


JJTKRATIKE   AM)   J'CnLJSIIIAC   IIOISE.        273 

the  technical  sciences  and  some  of  the  learned  pro- 
fessions. 

Of  the  many  and  varietl  jjocjks  published  by  the 
Methodist  Book  Concern,  some  have  been  of  only 
temporary  interest ;  but  there  are  others  of  permanent 
value.  Our  history  will  always  conmiand  attention ; 
and  there  is  nothing  in  secular  literature  more  charm- 
ing than  the  simple  story  of  our  early  itinerants  and 
their  labors.  All  history  is  of  value;  but  Churcli  liis- 
tory,  more  than  anything  else,  is  the  record  of  the 
world's  civilization  and  progress.  Biography  consti- 
tutes no  small  part  of  history:  and  in  works  of  this 
kind  our  Church  excels.  We  have  perhaps  three 
hundred  separate  lives  of  men  and  women.  Many 
of  them  have  been  unknown  to  fame,  but  ''their  works 
do  follow  them,"  and  in  widening  circles  their  in- 
fluence has  extended  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Mul- 
titudes arise  up,  and  bless  the  name  of  Elizabeth 
Wallbridge,  "The  Dairyman's  Daughter."  And  she 
stands  not  alone. 

To  works  on  theology  the  Church  has  paid  special 
attention;  but  no  less  to  those  on  experimental  piety 
and  devotion.  As  a  mental  stimulus  there  is  nothing 
superior;  and  in  the  higher  domain  of  thought,  the 
clear  region  of  pure  dialectics,  the  reader  will  here 
find  exercise  for  all  his  faculties.  The  world's  great 
intellectual  controversies  have  been  theological,  and 
the  Church  has  learned  through  them  to  be  "first 
pure,  then  ])eaceable."  Some  of  the  best  literature  in 
the  English  language  is  in  the  form  of  sermons,  and 
in  them  may  be  found  as  many  strains  of  elocjuence, 
18 


274  OHIO  METHODISM. 

as  iii^cnuinc  (3ratory,  as  racy  wit,  as  striking  sentiments, 
and  as  rich  a  style  as  in  the  finest  efforts  of  the  study, 
the  forum,  or  the  bar.  In  adcHtion,  they  have  the 
merit  of  appeaHng  to  the  consciences  and  hearts  of  the 
people  in  respect  of  their  spiritual  and  eternal  interests. 
Nor  are  they  lacking  in  a  practical  application  to 
things  of  the  present  life.  Methodist  preaching  is 
intended  to  save  men  not  only  for  the  next  world, 
l)ut  for  this. 

In  poetry,  except  in  its  hymnology,  which  is  rich 
beyond  parallel,  the  Church  has  very  little  to  show; 
and  in  fiction,  outside  of  its  Sunday-school  libraries, 
scarcely  none  at  all.  The  principal  purpose  of  this 
species  of  literature  is  to  impart  pleasure,  not  to  supply 
information.  Still,  fiction  is  often  made  the  vehicle 
of  valuable  truth.  More  than  any  one  book,  Mrs. 
Stowe's  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  stirred  the  hearts  of 
the  American  people  upon  the  subject  of  slavery. 
Even  John  Wesley  edited  and  published  for  his  so- 
cieties a  two-volumed  novel  which  he  thought  con- 
veyed useful  lessons. 

But  the  species  of  literature  which  is  most  in  de- 
mand, and  which  is  now  the  most  widely  read,  is  that 
which  issues  from  the  periodical  press.  The  modern 
n.cwspaper  is  the  organ  of  parties,  professions,  and 
trades.  Nearly  every  kind  of  business  and  enterprise 
has  its  representative;  and  these  journals  are  often 
read  to  the  exclusion  of  everything  else.  It  is  no 
unconnnon  thing  to  see  ordinary  laboring  men  and 
mechanics  reading  these  papers  during  their  respite 
from  work  at  meal-times,  or  when  riding  on  the  cars. 
The  fact  is,  we  are  a  reading  people;  but  men  engaged 


LITERATURE   AND   PUBLISHING   HOUSE.        275 

in  the  rush  of  business  find  little  time  to  spare  for 
anything  beyond  this  class  of  reading  matter. 

When  the  Hon.  Richard  Rust  established  a  public 
library  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  gave  to  it  his 
large  collection  of  books,  he  expressly  excluded  from 
it  all  newspapers — those  ''organs  of  disjointed 
thought,"  as  he  aptly  named  them;  for  he  knew  that 
no  man  who  devotes  his  leisure  time  to  them  will  be 
well  disposed  to  carry  on  a  close  and  consecutive  train 
of  thinking.  Woe  to  him  whose  intellectual  life  is 
nourished  solely  by  the  daily  newspapers!  Yet  one 
must  read  them  if  he  seeks  for  general  news,  and  de- 
sires to  know  the  current  history  of  events ;  but  if,  be- 
sides, he  is  avid  of  a  higher  culture,  an  enlarged  view 
of  men  and  things,  a  finer  appreciation  of  the  arts, 
both  aesthetic  and  industrial,  and  a  greater  ability  to 
grasp  the  leading  (juestions  of  morals  and  of  govern- 
ment, he  must  needs  tread  the  broader  paths  of 
literature. 

In  the  monthly  magazines  and  reviews  there  is  a 
better  class  of  articles,  and  many  of  them  are  equal 
in  style  and  value  to  anything  printed  in  books.  On 
topics  of  permanent  interest  there  is  also  a  greater 
variety.  The  same  thing  may  be  said  of  the  larger 
secular  weeklies,  some  of  which  print  a  magazine 
supplement.  But  these  articles  are  hints  at  knowK-dge, 
rather  than  knowledge  itself — an  index,  not  a  cyclo- 
paedia. 

All  of  the  leading  Churches  of  America  have  de- 
nominational papers,  and  all  of  them  have  been  estab- 
lished in  the  present  century.  For  eighteen  hundred 
years  the  Christian  religion  had  its  heralds  in  the  pul- 


276  OHIO   METHODISM. 

pits,  and  its  teachers  in  the  cloisters  and  the  schools, 
with  such  helps  as  occasional  books  and  pamphlets 
could  give  it,  as  its  only  propagandists.  The  idea  of 
tracts  and  weekly  pa])ers  in  its  service  is  a  modern 
one;  but  when  society  was  ri])e  to  avail  itself  of  it, 
the  idea  w^as  adopted.  After  the  failure  of  the  Ar- 
miiiiaii  Magazine  in  this  country — only  two  volumes 
were  published — there  were  sporadic  efforts  to  circu- 
late other  monthly  magazines  of  a  similar  character 
among  our  people ;  but  no  successful  attempt  w^as  made 
until  1818,  wdien  the  Methodist  jMagazinc  was  under- 
taken by  the  New  York  Book  Concern.  This  has 
been  published  consecutively  ever  since,  though  sub- 
se(|uently  changed  into  the  MciJwdist  Quarterly  Rc- 
zicw,  and  later  into  the  Methodist  Rez'iezc,  which  is  now 
issued  l)i-monthly.  After  a  few-  years  of  experiment- 
ing wnth  this  magazine,  it  was  deemed  important  that  a 
weekly  paper  should  be  issued,  so  as  to  reach  a  greater 
number  of  readers,  and  to  be  of  a  more  varied  char- 
acter. Accordingly  the  Church  established  in  the  city 
of  New  York  its  first  Christian  Advoeate,  in  the  year 
1826.  The  Zion's  Herald  had  already  been  begun  in 
tlic  city  of  Boston,  but  w^as  for  a  time  merged  into 
the  new  enterprise. 

As  the  population  became  more  settled,  and  the 
r.umber  of  Church  members  continued  to  increase  in 
the  South  and  West,  there  was  a  demand  for  more 
denominational  papers  in  those  sections  of  the  coun- 
try; and  accordingly  the  JVestern  Christian  Advoeate 
at  Cincinnati  was  commenced  in  1834;  and  in  1836 
arrangements  were  made  to  pul:)lish  papers  in  Rich- 
mond, Charleston,  and  Nashville.     Within  fifty  years 


LITER ArURK   AM)    PmLISIUXC    HOCS/C.         277 

from  that  time,  the  weekly  papers  of  Methodism  in 
the  North,  not  including  those  published  for  the  Sun- 
day-schools, have  increased  to  about  thirty,  and  in 
the  South  to  fifteen.  A  few  of  these  are  not 
official;  that  is,  they  are  either  j^rivate  ventures,  or 
are  under  the  control  and  patronage  of  scjme  of  the 
C'onferences.  The  total  weekly  issue  of  these  papers 
amounts  to  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
copies,  and  counting  four  readers  for  each  subscriber, 
the  reading  population  of  our  Church  is  one  million 
four  hundred  thousand  persons.  This  is  perhaps  be- 
low rather  than  al)ove  the  exact  number,  but  it  still 
leaves  three  millions  of  our  Alethodist  people  with- 
out any  Church  paper. 

Our  papers  are  worthy  of  a  larger  circulation, 
because  they  are,  first,  religious.  To  promote 
the  spiritual  growth  of  their  readers  is  the  prin- 
cipal reason  for  their  existence.  Next,  thev  are 
doctrinal.  To  instruct  the  members  in  the  doc- 
trines held  by  their  Church  is  not  a  small  thing, 
though  it  was  once  more  important  than  it  is 
now,  as  our  Bible  helps  are  at  present  more 
a1)undant,  and  diffused  through  the  agency  of  the 
Sunday-schools.  Besides,  nearly  all  the  evangelical 
Churches  are  at  agreement  in  matters  of  faith.  Third, 
our  papers  are  loyal,  not  only  to  our  theological  stand- 
ards, but  to  our  pcjlity  and  institutions.  But  loyalty 
is  consistent  with  freedom;  and  all  the  changes  in 
our  ecclesiastical  economy  and  modes  of  action  have 
first  been  discussed  in  the  papers.  The  great  question 
of  lay  representation  was  thus  settled  before  its  final 
ratification  by  the  General  Conference.     Lastly,  our 


278  OHIO   METHODISM. 

(  luirch  papers  are  the  messengers  of  nezvs.  Whatever 
is  said  or  done  in  Church  circles  or  in  the  world  is 
here  told;  and  the  reader  has  a  more  intelligent  ap- 
preciation of  the  work  accomplished  by  Christian 
evangelists  for  the  salvation  of  men.  St.  Paul  was 
greatly  encouraged  when  he  heard  of  the  faith  of  the 
Ephesians,  the  Colossians,  the  Romans,  and  the  Thes- 
salonians;  and  such  news  may  provoke  others  to  re- 
newed diligence  in  love  and  good  works.  Revival 
flames  are  often  kindled  by  telling  of  revivals.  In  busi- 
ness speculations,  when  a  man  lays  out  money,  he  al- 
ways wants  to  follow  it  up  to  know  what  returns  it 
makes.  Is  it  any  less  wise,  when  he  becomes  a  partner 
in  the  Church,  to  desire  to  know  how  the  partnership  is 
succeeding?  We  are  members  one  of  another;  what 
interests  one,  interests  all.  The  weekly  Church  paper 
is  like  a  letter  from  every  other  member  of  the  firm. 
Up  to  the  year  1820  all  our  Methodist  books  were 
printed  in  the  East;  at  first  in  Philadelphia,  and  after 
the  beginning  of  this  century  in  New  York.  But  the 
growing  importance  of  the  West,  the  rapid  increase 
of  its  population,  and  the  lack  of  means  for  easy 
transportation,  led  the  General  Conference  of  that 
year  to  estabhsh  a  branch  of  the  IMethodist  Book 
Concern  in  Cincinnati.  Martin  Ruter  was  appointed 
its  first  agent.  All  books  needed  by  him  for  the  supply 
of  the  Western  market  were  packed  in  New  York,  and 
sent  by  wagons,  or  on  shipboard,  to  Philadelphia, 
thence  by  wagons  to  Pittsburg,  and  from  that  point 
floated  down  the  Ohio  in  steamboats  or  barges. 
These  books  were  sold  only  to  the  preachers  at  whole- 
sale rates.     There  was  no  retail  trade,  except  as  the 


LITERArrRK   AND   PriiLISHINd   HOCSE.         279 

preachers  Ijecaine  the  chslributers  uf  the  Ijuuks  to  the 
people. 

Mr.  Ruter  occupied  a  small  building  on  the  south- 
east corner  of  Fifth  and  Elm  Streets.  The  front  room 
he  used  as  his  ofifice,  packing  department,  and  store- 
house. He  conducted  the  entire  business  himself, 
carrying  on  the  correspondence,  keeping  accounts, 
filling  orders,  and  su])erintending  the  drayage.  While 
engaged  in  tliis  work,  he  prepared  a  spelling-book, 
which  had  a  large  circulation  among  the  scIkjoIs  in 
the  West  and  South,  and  the  outlines  of  a  Hebrew- 
grammar.  He  also  reprinted  for  the  use  of  the  Church, 
as  stereotype  plates  were  not  then  employed,  "A  Vin- 
dication of  Methodist  Episcopacy,"  by  Nathan  Bangs, 
for  which  there  was  a  greater  demand  than  he  could 
supply  by  obtaining  copies  from  New  York.  It  is  a 
small  duodecimo  volume  of  166  pages,  and  the  print- 
ing was  done  in  Cincinnati  in  1821  by  Looker,  Palmer 
and  Reynolds,  i)rinters.  Dr.  Bangs  afterward  en- 
larged this  book,  and  re-issued  it  under  the  title  of 
''An  Original  Church  of  Christ."  Both  these  vol- 
umes are  now  out  of  print.  This  w^as  the  precursor 
of  a  long  array  of  ])ul)lications  in  the  West,  and  was 
followed  during  Dr.  Ruter's  term  (1820- 1828)  by  the 
''Minutes  of  Conferences,"  Sherlock  on  "Divine  Prov- 
idence," and  perhaps  others. 

In  1828,  Charles  Holliday  was  elected  agent,  and 
rented  a  small  house  on  George  Street,  between  Elm 
and  Race.  This  he  occupied  only  a  short  time,  when 
he  removed  his  office  to  Walnut  Street,  between  Third 
and  Fourth.  Here  the  Book  Concern  remained  until 
after  1832,  in  which  year  John  F.  Wright  was  elected 


28o  OHIO   MRTIIOniSM. 

assistant  agent.  The  gains  of  the  house  had  greatly 
increased  during  the  preceding  quadrennium,  and,  in 
view  of  a  still  greater  prospective  increase,  two  agents 
were  deemed  necessary  to  conduct  the  business.  Nor 
was  the  expectation  an  idle  one.  In  1834  the  Western 
Christian  Advocate  was  commenced.  There  was  then 
the  need  of  larger  accommodations,  and  the  business 
was  removed  to  Main  Street,  above  Sixth.  In  1839 
the  Christliche  Apologete  (Christian  Apologist),  a 
German  paper,  was  established;  and  in  1841  The 
Ladies'  Repository  was  undertaken.  A  l)ook-bindery 
in  connection  with  the  printing-office  was  introduced: 
and  the  agents  were  now  prepared  not  only  to  sell, 
but  to  manufacture,  books  themselves.  The  earliest 
books  bound  in  the  Concern  were  probably  the  Meth- 
odist Hvmn-books,  printed  on  a  handpress  from 
duplicate   plates   sent   from    New   York. 

The  first  books  wholly  manufactured  in  the  Con- 
cern were  "Strictures  on  Campbellism,"  by  William 
Phillips,  issued  in  1837,  and  "History  of  the  Wyan- 
dott  Mission,"  by  James  B.  Finley,  in  1840.  Since 
that  time  there  has  been  an  increasing  activity  in  its 
general  publishing  interests. 

In  1839  the  Book  Concern  in  Cincinnati  obtained 
an  act  of  incorporation  from  the  State  of  Ohio;  and 
about  the  same  time  the  agents  purchased  lots  on 
the  corner  of  Main  and  Eighth  Streets,  including  the 
old  mansion  built  and  formerly  occupied  by  General 
Arthur  St.  Clair,  one  of  the  first  brick  houses  erected 
in  the  city,  and  elegantly  finished.  The  bricks  in  the 
wall  were  laid  after  the  Flemish  bond.  Here  the 
agents  ])ut  up  a  substantial  four-story  brick  building 


LITER  Air  RK    AM)    I'll; /JSIl  /  XC   I/OI'SK.         28 1 

in  front  for  their  l)usincss  and  bindery,  and  a  printing- 
olTfiee  on  an  alley  in  the  rear.  The  St.  Clair  mansion 
\vas  at  first  rented  out,  but  was  afterward,  with  a  few 
alterations,  utilized  for  editorial  rooms  and  as  a  res- 
idence for  the  janitor.  In  these  premises,  on  which 
new  buildings  were  erected  as  needed,  and  two  stories 
added  to  the  front  building,  all  (he  business  of  the 
house  was  carried  on  until  1870.  In  that  year  the 
agents,  Luke  Hitchcock  and  John  j\I.  Walden,  pur- 
chased lots  on  Home  Street,  running  through  to  Plum 
en  the  West,  and  bought  a  business  house,  four  stories 
high,  with  a  basement,  not  yet  completed,  on  Fourth 
Street,  adjoining  and  extending  back  to  their  lots  on 
Home  Street.  On  this  latter  street  they  erected  a 
large  five-story  building,  afterwards  enlarged  to  six 
stories,  for  their  printing  department  and  bindery,  and 
finished  the  front  l)uilding  for  their  bookstore,  count- 
ing-room, editorial  and  Church  society  ofifices,  chapel, 
and  bishop's  room. 

In  process  of  time  even  these  accommodations, 
superior  as  they  were,  became  insufBcient  for  the  in- 
creased business;  and  a  lot  was  purchased  on  the 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Home  Streets,  adjoining  the  lots 
already  owned  by  the  agents  on  both  these  streets. 
In  1893,  a  two-story  structure  on  this  lot  was  torn 
down,  and  in  its  place  a  stately  and  convenient  build- 
ing, eight  stories  in  height  alcove  the  pavement,  has 
been  erected.  It  is  practically  fireproof,  and  into  it 
all  the  business  of  the  Jiouse  was  removed.  The 
book-sales  department  occupies  the  first  floor;  the 
Bible  and  stock-rooms  are  on  the  second  floor;  the 
counting-room  and  agents'   offices  on  the   fifth;   edi- 


282  OHIO  METHODISM. 

torial  rooms  on  the  sixth;  Freedmen's  Aid  and  South- 
ern Education  Society  on  the  seventh;  and  chapel, 
committee-rooms,  and  bishop's  office  on  the  eighth. 
The  other  floors  are  rented  out  for  offices.  When 
the  old  building-  was  thus  vacated,  it  was  replaced 
with  a  new  one,  constructed  in  the  same  style  as  the 
one  now  occupied,  so  that  the  entire  block  is  one  of 
the  finest  and  best  appointed  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati. 
There  is  thus  room  for  any  prospective  increase  of 
the  business  for  }ears  to  come. 

The  prime  object  of  the  Book  Concern  has  been 
from  the  first  to  "spread  Scripture  holiness  over  these 
lands."  How  well  it  has  succeeded  in  doing  so  can 
scarcely  be  estimated;  but  in  Cincinnati  alone  the 
book  sales  for  1896  amounted  to  $205,302,  and  in  1897 
to  $302,310;  while  the  periodical  sales  for  these  years 
were,  respectively,  $329,853  and  $321,019.  During 
the  century  of  its  existence  it  has  distributed  many 
thousands  of  books,  periodicals,  and  tracts,  none  of 
them  of  a  misleading  or  questionable  character. 
Some  of  its  publications  are  equal  in  freshness  and 
vigor  to  the  best  in  secular  literature;  most  of  them 
superior  in  their  teaching  of  heart-purity  and  a  sound 
morality,  and  unsurpassed  as  guides  in  correct  inter- 
pretation of  Scripture,  and,  like  it,  all  of  them  ''profit- 
able  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  in- 
struction in  righteousness." 

But  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  as  well  as  the 
promotion  of  piety  has  always  been  felt  by  the  Church 
to  be  a  matter  of  importance.  In  the  year  1843  the 
Cincinnati  Book  Committee  submitted  a  plan  for  a 
"Social  and  Domestic  Library"  to  the  several  Annual 


LITER ATURE   AND   PUBI.ISHING   HOUSE.         283 


Conferences,  intended  for  the  ultimate  action  of  the 
General  Conference.  Already  they  had  seen  the  value 
of  such  an  undertaking^.  John  Murray  had  issued  in 
serial  volumes  a  ''Family  Library"  in  London;  Con- 
stable was  publishing-  his  '^Miscellany"  in  Edinburgh, 


W  1  M  1  k\    Ml   I  HoDlsl    1  ook  e  ()\C  I  k\ 

and  the  Harpers  were  reprinting  many  of  these  works 
in  their  "Family  Library"  in  this  country.  Their 
cheap  price  and  handy  size  procured  for  them  a  large 
circulation.  They  were  introduced  into  many  homes 
and  into  Sunday-school  liljraries,  and  were  devoured 
with  eager  interest  by  even  the  younger  class  of  read- 
ers. The  ])lan  proposed  by  the  Book  Committee  did 
not  meet  with  favor, — or  at  least  no  action  was  taken 


284  OfllO   METHODISM. 

Upon  it.  The  General  Conference  of  1844  had  under 
consideration  other  matters  of  weighty  importance, 
and  the  question  of  the  Church  and  slavery  occupied 
nearly  all  the  time  of  the  session.  But  what  the 
General  Conference  did  not  sanction  by  adopting  the 
plan,  the  agents  have  gradually  carried  into  effect. 
Perhaps  the  scheme,  if  at  that  time  it  had  been  enter- 
prised  in,  would  have  proved  a  failure;  yet  during  all 
these  years  an  approach  has  been  made  towards  its 
consummation.  The  books  which  have  been  pub- 
lished during  the  last  (juarter  of  a  century,  or  over, 
have  justified  the  policy  which  was  suggested  a 
quarter  of  a  century  earlier.  For,  while  at  first  only 
books  of  a  strictly  theological  or  devotional  character 
were  printed  in  the  Book  Concern,  we  have  now  works 
of  a  more  miscellaneous  sort,  adapted  to  the  wants 
of  the  family  circle,  young  people's  societies,  and  the 
Sunday-school, — such  as  were  contemplated  in  the 
proposed  Social  and  Domestic  Library. 

In  this  distribution  of  a  sanctified  literature  the 
Western  Book  Concern  has  had  an  ample  share. 
In  history  and  biography,  in  theology  and  doctrinal 
treatises,  in  commentaries  on  the  Bible,  and  in  guides 
to  the  higher  life,  Ohio  Methodists  have  excelled. 
So  far  our  writers  can  be  considered  only  as  the  pio- 
neers of  a  riper  age,  embellished  with  all  spiritual  and 
intellectual  endowments.  "Tell  ye  your  children  of 
it;  and  let  your  children  tell  their  children,  and  their 
children  another  g-eneration." 


Chapter   X* 

285 


"(;!^t^E  need  the  rich  and  the  refined  and  the  learned,  but  not  at 
^^  the  price  of  abandoning  the  poor  and  the  uneducated.  We 
want  a  ministry  equal  to  the  best  in  the  universal  Church  in  eru- 
dition and  pulpit  talent  and  intellect;  and  we  want  a  ministry  that 
can  go  into  the  hamlet,  hut,  and  the  lowest  cellar  without  overaw- 
ing their  tenants  with  its  respectability.  How  can  these  two  be 
obtained  and  continued?  How  can  each  class  and  each  man  be 
induced  to  move  contentedly,  spontaneously,  and  eagerly  in  his 
own  sphere,  unimpeded  by  jealousy  against  caste  ?  Romanism  can 
do  it.     Why  not  Methodism?" — Whcdon. 

"y^REAT  is  the  power  of  a  life  which  knows  that  its  highest 
^  experiences  are  its  truest  experiences,  that  it  is  most  itself 
when  it  is  at  its  best.  What  a  piece  of  the  man  was  for  that  shin- 
ing instant,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  whole  man  to  be  always." — Phil- 
lips Brooks. 


)[^E  will  trust  God.     The  blank  interstices' 
^'    Men  take  for  ruins,  he  will  build  into 
With  pillared  marbles  rare,  or  knit  across 
With  generous  arches,  till  the  fane  's  complete." 

— FJizaheth  Barrett  Bro7i.min^ 
286 


CHAPTER  X. 

OHIO,  one  of  the  richest  and  fairest  rej^ions  of 
the  earth's  surface,  has  witnessed  a  century  of 
material  and  moral  progress  that  is  unparalleled  in 
the  history  of  the  world.  We  have  reviewed  briefly 
but  gratefully  some  of  the  historic  achievements  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  upon  Ohio  soil.  No 
one  agency  within  the  State  has  exerted  a  more  power- 
ful moral  and  spiritual  influence,  and  contributed  more 
to  the  cause  of  education,  human  freedom,  and  moral 
reforms,  than  this  Church.  vShe  rounds  out  her  first 
century  with  devout  thankfulness  for  the  record  of 
past  achievements  and   present   prosperity. 

The  triumphs  and  progress  of  the  past,  however, 
must  not  lead  the  Church  to  forget  the  demands  of 
the  present.  It  is  important  to  know  the  trend  of 
history  and  the  special  problems  of  the  age,  and  how 
to  solve  them.  As  we  have  studied  the  progress  of 
Christianity  in  general  and  the  grow^th  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church  in  particular,  not  only  witliin  the  State, 
but  throughout  the  world,  we  have  been  impressed 
with  the  fact  that  the  Church  is  moving  forward  with 
hope  and  enthusiasm,  and  keeping  pace  proportion- 
ately with  the  growth  of  the  country  itself.  In  the 
midst  of  the  present  signs  of  the  greater  growth  and 
spirituality  of  the  Church  we  can  not  take  a  de- 
spondent view.  The  slow,  irregular,  and  spasmodic 
development  of  the  Church  in  a  few  localities  is  no 
indication  of  the  trend  of  the  general  progress. 

287   ^ 


288  OHIO   METHODISM. 

There  never  was  a  time  when  there  was  so  nuich 
zeal,  devotion,  and  benevolence  in  the  Church  as  there 
is  to-day.  The  preachers,  as  a  class,  are  earnest  in 
presenting  the  gospel  and  living  u])  to  it.  They  are 
radiant  with  hope  and  aflame  with  zeal.  The  mem- 
bership is  not  only  on  the  increase,  but  the  congre- 
gations are  in  earnest  in  the  propagation  of  the  gospel; 
and,  as  a  rule,  the  people  fill  the  churches.  The  volun- 
tary contributions  to  the  support  of  the  Church  and 
its  benevolences,  as  well  as  for  civil  and  local  pur- 
poses, show  that  religious  enterprises  are  conducted 
on  a  scale  heretofore  unknowai. 

Nothing  like  perfection,  however,  has  been 
reached.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  moral  and  spir- 
itual conditions  of  the  Church  are  healthier  and  bet- 
ter, yet  the  present  conditions  of  society  show  that 
the  Church  is  confronted  with  hindering  influences 
and  serious  social  problems.  The  outcome  of  these 
contending  forces  of  evil  and  good  is  not  without 
promise  of  success  for  all  that  is  noblest  and  purest 
in  our  holy  religion.  It  may  be  helpful  to  notice  a 
few  danger  signals  that  lie  along  the  pathw^ay  of 
progress  of  the  Church,  and  then  pass  to  consider 
some  of  the  essential  Christian  forces  which  should 
operate  for  the  overthrow^  of  evil. 

One  of  the  dangers  arises  from  the  temptation  to 
represent  the  Church  by  numbers  rather  than  by  the 
character  of  those  who  compose  it.  The  numerical 
growth  and  preponderance  of  the  Church  signifies  but 
little  if  we  lose  sight  of  the  higher  and  deeper  spir- 
itual forces  which  the  Church  represents.  Moral  and 
religious  growth  can  not  be  put  on  a  mathematical 


THE    OUTLOOK.  289 

basis.  Figures  are  outside  the  domain  of  spirituality. 
People  sometimes  unite  with  the  Church  for  social 
or  commercial  advantages,  but  possess  very  little  in- 
terest in  her  real  spirit  or  aim.  The  spirit  of  Chris- 
tianity is  developed  by  means  of  Church  organiza- 
tions, and  has  *'its  exact  phenomena,  its  numerical 
representations,  its  distinctly-cut  channels,  its  streams 
of  varying  depths  and  velocity,  registering  water- 
marks all  along  their  pathways."  It  is,  however,  im- 
possible to  measure  all  the  forces  that  move  and  domi- 
nate the  Church.  Certain  it  is  that  care  should  be 
exercised  that  the  Church  is  composed  only  of  men 
and  women  who  have  been  born  again. 

The  Church,  in  her  efforts  to  keep  in  touch  with 
the  world  and  increase  her  membership,  may  be 
tempted  to  make  the  entrance  to  her  communion  so 
easy  as  to  obliterate  the  distinctions  between  the  pro- 
fessor and  non-professor.  Such  a  Church  will  soon 
awaken  to  the  fact  that  she  can  not  shuffle  off  the 
influence  and  power  of  worldly  members,  and  sooner 
or  later  must  succumb  to  them,  and  so  lose  her 
evangelical  prestige  and  power.  The  spirit  of  the 
Church  is  vastly  more  important  than  her  form  or 
numbers.  The  future  improvement  within  the  Church 
should  be  in  the  direction  of  the  character  of  the  mem- 
bership. 

Another  signal  of  danger  is  the  neglect  of  home  life. 
The  time  has  come  for  the  Church  to  emphasize  anew 
the  power  and  blessedness  of  a  refined  Christian  home. 
The  home  life  of  the  people  sustains  a  very  important 
relation  to  the  Church.  If  the  father  and  mother  are 
absent  from  home  evenings,  and  neglect  family  ties 
19 


290  OHIO  METHODISM. 

and  fellowships,  the  children  soon  grow  restless  under 
the  parental  restraints^  and,  when  age  and  opportunity 
permit,  will  seek  society  and  pleasure  outside  the 
home. 

In  this  stirring,  throbbing  age  too  little  time  is 
allotted  in  the  home  for  developing  strong,  abiding 
affections  between  parents  and  children,  and  fostering 
a  moral  and  religious  life.  The  army  of  young  people 
who  walk  the  streets  at  night  without  any  fixed  aim, 
but  to  seek  pleasure,  will  sooner  or  later  become  en- 
trapped in  Satan's  wiles.  The  drift  of  young  life  is 
away  from  the  Churches.  It  will  continue  to  be  so 
until  parents  think  more  of  cultivating  an  intimate 
fellowship  with  their  children  than  they  do  of  club 
life,  secret  societies,  and  all  gatherings  that  require 
their  absence  from  home  at  night. 

The-  evil  does  not  stop  here,  but  sometimes  ap- 
pears later  in  life  in  the  form  of  a  disregard  for  do- 
mestic life  and  a  consequent  lower  tone  of  morals. 
The  increase  of  club  life  and  bachelorhood  is  at  the 
root  of  much  of  the  impurity  of  to-day.  Intelligent 
and  refined  womanhood,  strong,  aspiring  manhood, 
do  not  spring  from  a  people  who  disregard  the  sanc- 
tity of  home  life.  The  most  sacred  place  this  side  of 
heaven  is  the  Christian  home,  where  parents  and  chil- 
dren enjoy  mutual  love  and  confidence.  The  per- 
manent and  abiding  force  of  the  Church  must  emanate 
from  such  a  pure  source.  The  Church  of  the  future 
that  would  exert  a  great  influence  in  the  world,  must 
exalt  the  home  life,  where  Christian  instruction  and 
paternal  love  go  hand  in  hand  in  developing  char- 
acter that  will  reveal  its  power  in  the  Church-life. 


THE    OUTLOOK.  29 1 

The  progress  of  the  Church  is  likewise  menaced 
by  the  spirit  of  worldliness.  Ohio  has  passed  through 
the  pioneer  period,  which  witnessed  great  self-sacri- 
fice, simple  and  economical  habits,  and  sturdy  man- 
hood. A  mighty  stream  of  emigration  from  a  large 
and  highly  developed  section  of  the  Eastern  States 
flowed  into  the  West,  and  leveled  forests^  cultivated 
rich  lands,  and  covered  them  wdth  prosperous  homes. 
These  natural  advantages  made  possible  the  second 
period  of  large  manufactories,  increased  values,  and 
large  wealth. 

We  are  now  in  the  third  period,  when  we  are 
tempted  by  our  vast  accumulations  and  material  great- 
ness to  live  a  life  of  ease  and  luxury,  with  a  conse- 
quent reduction  of  character.  The  material  improve- 
ments tend  to  attract,  dazzle,  and  charm  the  eye.  The 
tendency  is  for  the  visible  to  take  such  a  hold  of  men 
that  they  lose  sight  of  the  invisible;  and  then  they  are 
ready  to  say,  'Ts  this  not  great  Babylon  that  we  have 
buih?" 

The  Methodist  Church  has  from  the  beginning  of 
Ohio's  history  sought  to  make  the  mental  and  moral 
development  of  the  people  keep  pace  with  the  march 
of  progress  on  material  lines.  The  religious  forces 
working  in  connection  with  man's  voluntary  endow- 
ments have  produced  our  Christian  civilization.  The 
spirit  of  Christianity  has  been  the  dominating  power 
in  the  control  of  the  collective  social  body.  All  health- 
ful development  in  the  future  must  recognize  this 
elmentary  constituent  of  social  progress.  If  the  spirit 
of  worldliness  floods  the  Church,  it  will  cripple  her 
power.    The  history  of  the  world  shows  that  a  Church 


292  OHIO   METHODISM. 

as  well  as  a  nation  invites  failure  and  destruction 
whenever  there  is  a  disproportionate  material  develop- 
ment. 

The  only  safeguard  to  our  Christian  civilization  is 
to  consecrate  our  wealth  to  God  and  ourselves  to  his 
service  in  the  spirit  of  helpfulness  to  others.  There 
is  no  other  way  to  turn  the  current  of  thought  and 
life  from  self-gratification  to  the  development  of  a 
Christian  civilization  whose  moral  splendor  shall  out- 
shine the  brightest  visions  of  the  old  prophets. 

Again,  the  open  dramshop,  with  its  degraded 
manhood  and  wretched  sophistries,  is  the  colossal  in- 
iquity of  the  century  and  the  greatest  hindrance  to  the 
progress  of  the  Church.  The  General  Conference  of 
1896  declared  that  *'the  Christian's  only  proper  atti- 
tude toward  the  liquor-trafhc  is  that  of  relentless  hos- 
tihty."  The  saloons  in  Ohio  for  June,  1897,  numbered 
nine  thousand  one  hundred  and  eighteen;  and  the 
entire  number  of  Church  organizations  of  all  denomi- 
nations was  nine  thousand  three  hundred  and  forty- 
five.  There  are  within  the  State  nearly  as  many 
saloons  as  churches.  The  Methodist  Church,  with 
more  than  twenty-three  hundred  Church  organiza- 
tions and  nearly  three  hundred  thousand  members 
within  the  State,  is  a  mighty  army  in  the  field  of 
conquest. 

Dr.  J.  C.  Jackson,  Sr.,  has  carefully  estimated 
that  the  liquor-traffic  in  Ohio  is  responsible  for  forty- 
five  per  cent  of  idiocy,  seventy  per  cent  of  insanity, 
eighty-two  per  cent  of  crime,  and  seventy-five  per  cent 
of  pauperism. 


THE    Ol'TLOOK.  293 

The  sum  total  of  these  four  items  of  the  saloon 
n  account  with  Ohio  is  as  follows: 


3,705  idiots, cost  per  year,  $562,196  70 

5,186  insane, cost  per  year,  890,176  90 

12,596  convicts, cost  per  year,  511,458  22 

55,928  paupers, cost  per  year,  1,035,000  00 

77,415  rum  victims, cost  per  year,  $2,998,831   82 

This  takes  no  account  of  the  more  than  3,000 
(h'unkards  who  annually  die  in  Ohio.  It  does  not 
reckon  in  Ohio's  share  of  the  cost  of  the  trial  of  the 
53,436  whisky  homicides,  noted  by  the  Chicago 
Tribune,  from  1886  to  1896,  nor  of  the  32,925  counted 
by  Judge  Parker  of  the  Federal  Court  of  Arkansas 
and  the  Indian  Territory  within  six  years,  nor  of  Mrs. 
Helen  Cougar's  list  of  3,004  wife  murders  by  drunken 
husbands  in  one  year.  The  Dow  tax  pays  into  Ohio 
treasuries  about  $3,500,000  per  year.  It  will  be  seen 
that  this  is  but  a  little  more  than  what  the  traffic 
costs  the  State  for  the  mere  support  of  its  rum-manu- 
factured idiots,  insane,  criminals,  and  paupers.  It 
leaves  almost  nothing  to  offset  the  extra  expense  of 
trials,  loss  of  labor,  cost  of  liquor,  and  the  like,  which 
a  late  conservative  estimate  of  the  highest  authority 
])laccs  at  $70,000,000  expense  inflicted  on  the  State 
annually. 

In  view  of  these  startling  facts  the  Church  must 
redouble  her  efforts  for  the  suppression  of  the  saloon 
and  the  establishment  of  civic  righteousness. 

We  should  not  limit  our  view  to  the  obvious  ac- 
tivity of  evil  agencies  on  the  one  side,  without  con- 
sidering the  active  agencies  for  good  on  the  other. 


294  OHIO   METHODISM. 

One  of  the  triumphant  forces  at  work  in  the  field  is 
the  Divine  truth.  The  Church  is  the  nursery  of 
truth.  It  is  here  that  it  is  fostered,  expanded,  and 
diffused,  because  it  is  the  strongest  force  against  sin 
and  vice.  It  is  the  one  authoritative  teaching  of  God; 
and  the  Church  has  the  privilege  of  making  it  known 
to  a  sinful  world.  The  work  of  reconciliation  has 
been  committed  to  the  Church.  Its  authority  over 
the  mind  and  conscience  of  men  must  not  be  weak- 
ened or  impugned.  "The  Word  of  God  is  sharper 
than  any  two-edged  sword,"  and  exerts  more  power 
in  the  world  to-day  than  at  any  time  in  its  history! 
It  is  the  one  instrumentality  to  persuade  men  to  a 
voluntary  acceptance  of  Christ.  The  Divine  Word  of 
Truth  will  supplant  error,  and  prove  its  own  inspira- 
tion through  its  power  to  take  hold  of  men's  minds 
and  hearts.  The  voice  of  God  speaks  to  every  one 
wdio  comes  under  its  power,  and  enables  him  to  say, 
''The  statutes  of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the 
heart." 

The  Church  invites  humiliation  and  defeat  when- 
ever her  faith  in  God's  truth  is  weakened.  The  great- 
est leaders  in  the  moral  and  religious  world  and  the 
most  active  and  successful  Churches  have  been  dis- 
tinguished by  their  faith.  The  great  need  of  the  hour 
is  "to  preach  the  Word,"  and  to  let  every  sermon  be 
a  Divine  message  to  sinful  men.  Some  one  asked  ]\Ir. 
Gladstone  what  was  the  great  question  of  the  day. 
He  replied,  "There  is  only  one  question;  and  that  is 
sin  and  salvation,"  The  Divine  truths  concerning 
repentance,  regeneration,  and  our  crucified  and  risen 


THE    OUTLOOk'.  295 

Lord,  are  the  greatest  power  for  the  iiphfting  of  our 
fallen  race  to  God. 

The  most  vital  part  of  the  gospel  is  to  make  men 
righteous.  The  fruits  of  the  gospel  are  in  the  con- 
duct and  character  of  the  believers.  This  is  the  crown- 
ing proof  of  Christianity.  People  do  not  need  so  much 
dogmatic  theology  as  ethical  precepts  and  principles. 
They  should  be  taught  what  is  right  and  wrong  in  all 
relations  of  life.  Correct  believing  and  unrighteous 
living  is  not  the  moral  code  that  will  rescue  the  world 
from  sin.  The  vital  and  essential  doctrines  of  the  gos- 
pel were  made  to  harmonize  wnth  the  ethical  teachings. 

The  minister  who  preaches  the  Word  so  as  to 
probe  the  hearts  of  hearers  and  bring  life  and  actions 
to  the  bar  of  conscience,  will  not  have  to  resort  to  enter- 
tainments and  outside  issues  to  secure  an  audience. 
We  believe  the  gospel  touches  every  important  ques- 
tion of  the  day.  The  preacher,  however,  is  not  called 
upon  to  explode  the  objections  of  the  corrupt  enemies 
of  the  truth,  and  discuss  questions  irrelevant  to  a 
positive  gospel  message.  He  is  to  preach  the  reality 
of  revealed  religion  and  its  power  to  transform  char- 
acter and  correct  conduct.  Such  a  preacher  will  have 
hearers  and  be  a  center  of  power. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  Divine  message  is  a 
wise  and  consecrated  ministry.  The  transcendent 
dignity  of  the  Christian  pulpit  must  be  upheld  by  de- 
vout and  educated  messengers  of  God.  We  presume 
that  consecration  is  paramount;  but  education  is  only 
second  in  power.  *Tt  was  the  Prussian  schoolmaster," 
said  Von  Aloltke,  "who  conquered  at  Sadowa."    The 


296  OHIO  METHODISM. 

land  of  scholars  is  the  land  of  power.  An  intelligent 
ministry  is  an  effective  ministry.  Men  will  always 
listen  to  a  preacher  with  a  clear,  vigorous,  and  acute 
mind.  Nothing  short  of  a  liberal  education  will  fit 
a  man  for  the  most  effective  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  the  Christian  ministry.  That  man  has  an  erroneous 
conception  of  his  duty  who  will  enter  the  ministry 
with  but  little  preparation,  and  assume  the  most 
sacred  responsibility  of  ministering  to  immortal  souls. 

Well  did  the  far-seeing  and  now  sainted  Simpson 
say,  ''What  the  Methodist  Church  needs  now  is  not 
more  ministers,  but  better  trained  ministers;"  to  which 
may  be  added  the  saying  of  Bishop  Foster,  '^A  call 
to  the  ministry  means  a  call  to  the  most  thorough 
preparation  for  the  ministry." 

The  leaders  of  Israel  must  face  the  forces  of  evil 
and  be  capable  of  wisely  directing  the  forces  of  Al- 
mighty God  for  their  destruction.  The  gross  ma- 
terialism, lurking  sensuality,  destructive  skepticism, 
political  corruption,  and  the  colossal  iniquity  of  the 
liquor-traffic,  demand  Christian  giants  to  work  their 
overthrow.  Preachers  are  better  equipped  for  their 
great  task  if  they  have  read  widely,  and  trained  all 
their  mental  powers. 

The  Church  has  proceeded  upon  the  supposition 
that  when  she  founded  colleges  and  universities  her 
future  ministers  must  be  educated.  Each  candidate 
for  the  ministry  owes  it  to  himself  and  to  the  Church 
to  avail  himself  of  these  facilities,  and  become 
thoroughly  furnished  unto  every  good  work.  The  laity 
are  becoming  educated.  Young  people  in  every  vil- 
lage, town,  and  city  are  unwilling  to  tolerate  an  inferior 


THE    OUTLOOK.  297 

Standard  of  ministerial  culture.  The  highest  possi- 
bilities of  the  ministry  hinge  on  Christian  education. 

The  Church  is  an  organized  form  of  Divine  life. 
\^'llerever  there  is  life,  there  is  some  form  of  it.  The 
life  of  Christ  is  incarnated  in  his  true  followers, 
through  whom  he  works  for  the  extension  of  his 
kingdom.  The  Church  has  scarcely  begun  to  utilize 
the  active  as  well  as  the  latent  spiritual  forces  at  her 
command.  The  ocean  of  electricity  always  existed, 
but  it  required  intelligent  effort  to  organize  and  con- 
secrate it  to  an  end.  If  we  can  secure  the  consecra- 
tion of  the  latent  energies  of  the  Church,  we  may 
accomplish  wonderful  results  for  God  and  humanity. 
The  true  conception  of  the  Christian  Church  is  not 
that  of  a  hospital  where  souls  are  nourished  and  pre- 
pared for  heaven,  but  that  of  a  grand  army  marching 
for  the  conquest  of  the  world.  The  Lord  works 
through  the  binding  force  of  organized  Christian 
effort,  and  keeps  alive  the  good  influences  set  to  work. 

Rev.   G.   P.   Mains  truly  says: 

"A  paramount  need  of  the  hour  is  for  ministers 
who  have  a  genius  for  organizing  their  lay  forces  for 
spiritual  work.  The  laymen  in  great  numbers  are 
willing  to  work;  yet  many  of  these,  for  want  of  con- 
viction and  use,  are  standing  in  the  Church  with  idle 
hands,  so  many  undeveloped  spiritual  possibilities. 
Let  these  possibilities  but  once  be  borne  into  active 
expression;  let  them  be  wisely  organized  and  hero- 
ically led  for  achievement,  and  the  Church  will  awaken 
in  an  hour  to  the  conscious  ability  needed  for  the 
evangelization  of  every  city  in  America." 

Each  local  Church  should  arrange  for  a  concerted 


29<S  OHIO  METHODISM. 

action  on  the  part  of  the  members  to  visit  regularly 
and  systematically  every  unconverted  family  in  tiie 
community,  with  a  view  to  a  neighborly  acquaintance, 
and  to  influence  for  good.  In  some  localities  a  good 
share  of  the  spiritual  force  is  expended  in  trying  to 
keep  alive  the  flagging  life  of  the  Church.  The  mem- 
bers resort  to  social  gatherings,  entertainments,  and 
festivals,  and  say  to  the  world,  ''Come  and  help  save 
the  Church,"  whereas  the  Church  should  be  able  to 
say,  ''Come  into  the  Church  and  be  saved."  Such 
Churches  must  throw  aside  the  pharisaical  attitude 
towards  the  world,  and  be  ready  to  go  and  do  God's 
will,  even  if  it  does  require  assiduous  toil  and  self- 
sacrifice. 

In  Ohio  thirty-three  per  cent  of  the  population 
belong  to  some  branch  of  the  Christian  Church.  Two 
hundred  thousand  young  people,  a  strong  and  valiant 
army,  are  found  in  the  Christian  Endeavor  Societies, 
Epworth  Leagues,  Baptists'  Unions  of  the  State. 
If  all  these  Christian  forces  were  federated  and  prop- 
erly organized  to  carry  forward  a  campaign  against 
organized  iniquity,  nothing  could  resist  their  power 
and  influence. 

Another  mission  of  the  Church  is  to  work  for 
social  as  well  as  personal  redemption.  The  individual 
is  the  unit  of  the  family,  and  the  family  of  society. 
If  we  get  the  individual  right,  we  get  the  right  social 
conditions.  The  Church  can  not  overlook  the  im- 
portance of  the  transcendent  value  of  a  single  soul. 
The  work  of  the  Church,  however,  does  not  stop  here, 
but  must  extend  her  power  for  social  redemption. 
She  must  study  how  to  rescue  the  individual  and  so- 


THE    OUTLOOK.  299 

ciety  from  all  orp^anized  forms  of  iniquity.  She  must 
be  the  active  agent  in  business  and  society,  and  in 
political  and  civic  affairs,  and  so  develop  the  com- 
munity conscience  that  it  will  work  for  the  overthrow 
of  the  evil  forces,  and  make  for  righteousness. 

The  danger  is  that  in  proportion  as  the  Church 
attains  power  and  strength  she  will  be  a  conservative 
force  and  an  ally  of  the  existing  order  of  things.  It 
is  historically  true  that  the  dominant  Church  has 
always  erected  barriers  in  the  pathway  of  reform  and 
the  establishment  of  civic  righteousness  and  sobriety. 

**It  was  the  Established  Church  of  Jewry  that 
crucified  Christ  as  a  disturber  of  the  existing  order 
of  things;  it  was  the  dominant  Church  of  Christendom 
that  cried  out  upon  Galileo  and  Columbus  as  dis- 
turbers; it  was  the  dominant  Church  of  England  that 
haled  Wesley  out  of  its  pale,  and  forced  the  Puritans 
to  seek  haven  in  the  New  World:  they  were  disturb- 
ers. The  dominant  Churches  of  America  supported 
slavery  in  practice,  even  after  they  were  forced  to 
abandon  it  in  theory,  and  ostracized  the  x^bolitionists 
as  disturbers." 

Lincoln  could  not  understand  the  defection  of 
ministers;  and  Phillips  had  his  conscience  bewildered, 
and  his  moral  sense  outraged  by  the  indifferent  atti- 
tude of  the   Church   regarding  slavery. 

Our  Christian  institutions  have  been  founded  and 
inspired  by  Christian  principles.  Their  very  existence 
is  threatened  by  an  organized  saloon  power  -and  po- 
litical debauchery.  The  cohorts  and  legions  of  evil 
have  entered  with  soiled  hands  and  feet  our  Christian 
institutions,  and  corrupted  them.    The  demand  of  the 


300  OHIO  METHODISM. 

day  is  for  good,  strong  men,  with  nobility  of  purpose, 
to  wrest  them  from  their  hands,  and  drive  back  the 
invading  foe,  and  give  these  institutions  over  to  right- 
eous action. 

The  lawlessness  of  the  liquor  power  is  illustrated 
in  the  effort  to  intimidate  or  bribe  the  politicians, 
thereby  placing  our  representative  system  in  peril. 
The  Church  must  manifest  its  hostility  to  this  per- 
nicious power,  and  become  increasingly  political. 
Men  of  high  character  and  integrity  must  be  placed 
in  public  positions,  who  will  work  for  civic  righteous- 
ness. Good  laws  will  be  enacted  and  enforced  when 
Christian  men  seek  earnestly  in  their  respective  parties 
to  have  good,  honest  men  nominated  and  elected. 
Wickedness  will  be  overthrown,  society  purified,  and 
Christ's  glorious  kingdom  on  earth  established,  if  the 
Christians  are  only  faithful  in  their  day  and  generation. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Ohio  has 
abundant  reasons  for  a  hopeful  and  promising  future. 
In  view  of  her  past  history  and  present  strength,  she 
should  walk  steadily  forward  with  a  brave  and  trust- 
ful spirit  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Master,  and  work 
diligently  until  the  Church  stands  before  the  world 
''bright  as  the  sun,  fair  as  the  moon,  and  terrible  as 
an  armv  vvith  banners." 


Chapter  XL 

BftBtljobi^m  in  01x1x20. 


301 


"<^0  the  neglected  masses  of  the  people,  neither  the  fashionable 
^  atheist,  nor  the  subtle  philosopher,  nor  the  humdrum  ortho- 
dox sermonizer  has  any  message  which  could  be  of  the  least  avail. 
The  mass  of  ordinary  men  can  not  live  on  the  dead  husks  of  nega- 
tion and  traditionalism.  Ignorant  and  brutal  as  the  lowest  classes 
had  been  suffered  to  become,  it  was  impossible  that  any  form  of 
religion  should,  in  any  way,  reach  them  which  did  not  go  to  seek 
them ;  which  did  not  sympathize  with  them ;  which  did  not  speak 
in  a  language  which  they  could  understand;  which  did  not  in  very 
truth  bclirc'c  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  which  did  not  bring  them  living 
truths,  and  a  living    God,  and  a  living   Savior." — Canon    Farrar. 

"(S)  LARGE  proportion  of  the  vice  and  misery  abounding  in 
*^  large  cities  is  owing  to  such  facts  as  these :  The  people 
depreciate  the  dignity  of  labor,  are  ignorant  of  any  occupation  by 
which  an  honest  living  may  be  secured,  and  of  the  economies 
essential  to  home-making.  Every  avenue  of  employment  offering 
any  inducement  is  crowded  by  young  women  anxious  to  secure 
self-support.  A  large  number  of  the  applicants  are  unable  to  do 
anything  well.  It  is  not  surprising  that  '  ten  thousand  girls  a  year 
are  lost  in  the  maelstrom  of  sin  in  a  single  city.'  This  wrong 
might  be  largely  remedied  if  the  youth  were  given  industrial  train- 
ing, shown  the  advantages  of  skilled  labor,  and  assured  of  employ- 
ment. If  instruction  could  be  provided  for  girls  in  all  branches 
of  home  service,  cooking,  sewing,  dressmaking,  in  bookkeeping, 
stenography,  typesetting,  etc.,  and  provision  could  be  made  for 
distributing  these  trained  women  over  the  country,  where  their 
skill  and  strength  are  in  demand,  incalculable  good  could  be 
secured  to  young  girls." — General  Conference  Report. 

"c^fF  America  is  ever  ruined,  the  Methodist  Church  will  be  to 
^  blame ;  for  she  is  the  strongest  and  most  influential  Church  on 
the  continent  of  America  to-day,  and  can  do  more  to  turn  back  the 
tide  of  ruin  than  any  other  Church.  Among  her  communicants, 
in  her  pulpits,  and  at  the  head  of  her  schools  she  has  some  of  the 
finest  minds.  We  used  to  think  the  Methodists  adapted  to  only 
frontier  and  missionary  work.  But  the  frontier  of  our  country 
to-day  seems  to  center  in  our  large  cities,  where  more  missionary 
work  is  needed  than  anywhere  else,  and  where  our  greatest  peril 
is  ;  and  the  Methodist  Church  adapted  to  the  city  as  well  as  the 
country,  and  every  kind  of  work,  can  do  much  to  solve  the  problem 
— how  to  save  America  \— Joseph  Cook. 

302 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  growth  of  city  evangelization  commands  more 
interest  to-day  than  any  phase  of  Christian  work. 
There  is  no  better  place  in  the  world  to  solve  the  ques- 
tion than  in  America.  The  growth  of  American  cities 
is  something  phenomenal.  This  country  will  soon 
be  a  nation  of  cities.  In  the  beginning  of  this  century 
one-thirtieth  of  the  population  only  were  in  towns  and 
cities;  now  there  is  one-fifth.  At  the  same  rate  of 
increase  in  population,  fifty  of  our  largest  cities  will 
double  their  numbers  in  less  than  twenty  years.  Truly, 
the  cities  are  the  storm  centers  of  America.  They  are 
not  only  the  centers  of  evil  forces,  but  centers  of  re- 
ligious reformation  and  theaters  of  great  revivals. 
The  time  is  ripe  for  a  more  thoroughly  organized  ag- 
gressive movement  for  the  evangelization  of  our 
cities. 

Sixty-two  per  cent  of  the  population  of  our  large 
cities  are  non-communicants.  In  1890,  Cincinnati  had 
a  population  of  296,908;  and  the  number  of  communi- 
cants of  all  the  Churches  was  115,777,  oi"  39  P^i"  cent. 
For  the  same  year,  Cleveland  had  a  population  of 
261,353  and  94,385  communicants,  or  32  per  cent  of 
the  population. 

Methodism  has  flourished  in  cities,  and  continues 
to  be  an  increasing  power  among  the  unsaved  masses. 
Her  doctrines  and  efficient  methods  are  adapted  to 
the  non-church-going  people.     When  Methodism  be- 

303 


304 


OHIO  METHODISM. 


gan  her  work  in  this  country  a  little  more  than  a  cen- 
tury ago,  the  cities  were  quite  well  occupied  by  other, 
denominations.  They  had  the  advantage  of  wealth, 
learning,  and  social  prestige,  which  powerfully  as- 
sisted in  establishing  their  Churches;  yet  Methodism 
has  grown  to  equal  any  of  them  in  the  point  of  mem- 
bership. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  not  only  keep- 
ing pace  with  the  growth  of  population  in  great  cities, 
but  is  making  more  rapid  advance  than  the  growth 
in  population.  In  thirty  of  the  largest  cities  the 
population  from  1870  to  1890  had  gained  eighty-four 
per  cent,  while  the  membership  of  the  Church  had 
increased  one  hundred  and  two  per  cent,  or  nearly 
one-fourth  faster.  Its  peculiar  doctrines,  its  methods 
of  religious  work,  and  its  adaptation  to  all  classes  of 
society  has  given  it  general  favor. 

In  1890,  the  Protestant  communicants  in  Cincin- 
nati and  Cleveland  were  distributed  among  six  lead- 
ing denominations  as  follows: 


CITIES. 

Bap. 

Cong. 

Luth. 

Meth. 

Pres. 

Epis. 

Cincinnati, 

Cleveland, 

4.063 

3.449 

1,047 

3,333 

1,252 
7,162 

6,849 
4,983 

5.IIO 

5,553 

2,253 
3,257 

Note  that  the  Methodist  Churches  have  more 
communicants  in  Cincinnati  than  the  Baptist,  Congre- 
gational, and  Lutherans  combined;  more  than  the 
Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists  combined. 

The  following  table  shows  the  membership  of  the 


METHODISM  I\   CITIES. 


305 


Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  thirty-seven  years  in 
four  of  the  largest  cities  in  Ohio: 


CITIES.                                                             1871. 

1881. 

1891. 

1897. 

Cincinnati, 

Cleveland, 

Columbus                                                     .  1 

3,138 

1,508 

1,268 

1     549 

3.630 
2.470 

2,454 
782 

4,658 
4,794 
5,129 
1,634 

5,384 
7,520 
6,521 
2,956 

Toledo, 

Compare  the  proportion  of  membership  to  the 
population,  and  the  percentage  of  increase  in  popula- 
tion and  in  membership  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  from  1870  to  1890. 


PROPORTION    TO    POPULATION. 

PER  CENT 

INCREASE. 

CITIES. 

.871. 

I88I. 

1891. 

Popu- 
lation. 

Mem- 
bers. 

Cincinnati, 

Cleveland, 

Columbus, 

Toledo, 

I  to  69 
I  to  62 
I  to  25 
I  to  58 

I  to  70 
I  to  65 

I    to    21 

I  to  64 

I  to  64 
I  to  55 
I  to  18 
I  to  52 

37% 

182% 
189% 
161% 

49% 
218% 

305% 
198% 

The  Methodist  Church  is  not  doing  all  she  should 
to  evangelize  the  cities;  yet  these  facts  are  encourag- 
ing, and  inspire  confidence  that  better  work  will  be 
done  in  the  future. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  Methodism  will  escape  the 
danger  of  becoming  self-centered.  The  Church  is 
something  more  than  a  social  club  for  a  select  few. 
A  Church  imbued  with  the  gospel  will  be  active  and 
earnest  to  reach  all  classes.  The  Alethodist  Church 
in  Ohio  has  been  reasonably  successful  in  large  cities; 
but  we  little  dream  of  the  possibilities  before  the 
20 


306  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Church,  if  slie  will  but  utilize  the  means  placed  within 
her  power.  One  reason  why  the  Church  has  not  made 
g-rcater  advances  in  cities  is  chiefly  due,  says  Rev. 
A.  V: .  Beall,  "to  the  absence  of  a  central  directing 
mind  of  supereminent  ability,  backed  by  a  permanent 
fund,  the  income  from  which  should  be  sufficient  to  give 
freedom  and  energy  to  his  movements."  The  National 
City  Evangelization  Union  is  certain  to  accomplish 
a  great  work  in  correcting  many  of  the  past  efforts 
of  the  Church,  and  calling  attention  to  wiser  and 
better  methods  of  work. 

We  herewith  give  in  alphabetical  order  sketches 
of  Methodism  in  forty  cities  in  Ohio,  written  by  as 
many  different  authors,  w^ho  are  familiar  with  the  work 
in  their  respective  cities.  We  hope  these  sketches 
will  awaken  a  deeper  interest  in  city  evangelization, 
and  inspire  the  membership  of  the  Church  with  fresh 
impulses  for  working  out  the  Divine  mission  of  the 
Church  to  reach  the  unsaved  masses  in  our  cities. 


METHODISM  IN  AKRON. 

The  first  camp-meeting  ever  held  in  this  part  of 
the  country  w'as  held  a  few  miles  southwest  of  Akron 
on  the  lands  of  Dr.  Clarke.  The  'Svord  preached  w-as 
attended  with  power  to  the  hearts  of  the  people." 

Gregg  says  that  Akron  "was  frequently  visited  by 
Methodist  preachers,  wdio  found  a  welcome  home  in 
the  house  of  Air.  Paul  Williams.  Yet  no  society  was 
organized  until  1824.  Rev.  James  Mclntire,  on  the 
Huron  Circuit,  Ohio  Conference,  succeeded  in  form- 


METHODISM   L\   CITIES.  307 

ing  a  class,  consisting  of  Air.  Singlee  and  wife,  Air. 
Barkdull  and  wife,  and  a  few  others." 

Rev.  E.  C.  Gavitt  states  in  his  biography  that  he 
preached  in  Akron  in  1829,  in  a  warehouse  owned  by 
Mr.  Green.  During  this  year  he  estabhshed  the  first 
Sabbath-school  in  that  city,  with  two  teachers  and  nine 
scholars.  Akron  was  at  this  time  within  the  bounds 
of  the  North  Ohio  Conference. 

In  about  1832,  and  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
John  Janes,  of  the  North  Ohio  Conference,  the  erec- 
tion of  the  first  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  edifice 
was  commenced,  and  it  was  several  years  in  building. 
It  was  a  plain  wooden  structure  of  40  by  60  feet,  and 
was  located  directly  in  front  of  the  present  one,  and 
fronting  w^estward.  It  was  not  entirely  completed 
when  destroyed  by  fire,  March  16,  1841,  Rev.  John 
Robinson  being  the  pastor  at  this  time.  Not  dis- 
heartened by  the  misfortune  in  the  loss  of  its  church 
edifice,  the  society,  with  its  scanty  means,  caused  it 
to  rise,  phoenix-like,  from  its  ashes,  another  of  like 
character,  which  served  as  the  spiritual  birthplace  of 
many  who  have  joined  the  Church  triumphant. 

During  the  pastorate  of  J.  D.  Norton,  in  order 
to  meet  the  increased  wants  of  the  society,  it  was 
found  that  the  old  church  nuist  undergo  extension 
and  reparation.  The  necessity  for  this  having  been 
urged  upon  the  trustees  by  the  pastor,  the  work  of 
reversing  its  front,  and  of  enlarging  and  otherwise 
improving  it,  was  effected  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,500. 
In  the  spring  of  1867  ground  was  broken  for  the  pres- 
ent edifice,  and  by  the  late  autunm  the  stone  foun- 
dation  walls   were   raised   to  about  one-half  of  their 


308  OHIO  METHODISM. 

intended  height.  The  work  of  building  was  then  per- 
mitted to  rest  for  the  winter,  and  was  again  resumed 
ni  the  spring  of  1868,  and  prosecuted  to  the  entire 
inclosing  of  the  building  by  the  return  of  the  autumn 
following.  Another  winter's  cessation  from  the  work 
v/as  followed  by  its  resumption  in  the  spring  of  1869, 
and  by  the  completion  of  the  Sunday-school  and  the 
remaining  first-story  apartments  in  April,  1870. 

The  present  church  edifice,  erected  during  the  years 
1866-1872,  was  at  the  time  a  radical  departure  from 
existing  practice  in  church  construction;  its  principal 
peculiarity  being  its  more  prominent  recognition  of 
the  Sabbath-school  and  accommodations  for  it  than 
had  been  the  custom  in  the  past.  The  plan,  since 
widely  known  as  the  ''Akron  Model,"  was  the  out- 
growth of  the  combined  efforts  of  Hon.  Lewis  Miller 
and  the  late  Jacol:)  Snyder,  architect,  both  of  this  city. 

It  would  seem  useless  at  this  late  day  to  go  into 
details  regarding  the  plan  of  this  church  and  school, 
as  the  "Akron  Model"  has  been  so  widely  adopted  in 
the  succeeding  years  that  it  has  become  well  known, 
not  only  to  Methodists,  but  to  nearly  all  denomina- 
tions in  the  country,  as  its  general  idea  has  been 
adopted  almost  universally  in  prominent  buildings 
erected  during  recent  years.  Although  the  pioneer 
church  built  after  this  model,  it  is  generally  con- 
ceded that  it  has  never  been  surpassed  in  w^orking 
efficiency.  Not  only  was  it  the  first  church  ])uilt  on 
these  original  lines,  but  it  was  the  first  Sunday-school 
operated  on  the  graded  plan.  Methodism  in  1897  w^as 
represented  by  five  Churches,  with  a  combined  mem- 
bership of  1,723  and  2,012  Sunday-school  scholars. 


METIIOniSM  IN   CITIES.  309 

METIIODIvSM  IN  ALLIANCE. 

A  Methodist  class  was  organized  in  Alliance,  Ohio, 
in  1839,  with  eleven  members.  The  Rev.  M.  L. 
Weekly  was  the  first  pastor,  and  the  Rev.  Simon  Elliot 
the  first  presiding  elder. 

The  first  church  building  erected  by  this  society 
was  a  modest  frame  structure,  which  stood  in  that 
part  of  the  city  formerly  known  as  Freedom.  This 
building  was  subsequently  owned  and  occupied  by  the 
Friends,  who  purchased  it  from  the  Methodists  in 
the  spring  of   1865. 

The  building  until  recently  occupied,  located  on 
Main  Street,  was  begun  under  the  leadership  of  Dr. 
A.  B.  Leonard,  in  1864.  Dr.  Leonard  helped  to  dig 
the  foundation,  and  in  person  managed  the  brick- 
yard where  the  bricks  were  burned,  out  of  which  the 
building  was  erected.  Before  the  building  was  com- 
pleted, Dr.  Leonard  was  removed  from  the  charge. 
He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  Cox,  under  whose 
direction  the  building  was  completed  and  occupied 
by  the  society.  The  value  of  the  building  was  esti- 
mated at  $20,000. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev. 
G.  B.  Smith,  D.  D.  (1889-1894),  a  subscription  was 
taken  for  the  purpose  of  securing  funds  sufTficient  to 
build  a  new  church.  This  effort  resulted  in  the  se- 
curing of  $29,000.  A  fine  lot  was  secured  at  the  corner 
of  Broadway  and  Freedom  Avenue.  This  is  one  of 
the  finest,  if  not  the  finest,  building-lot  in  the  city,  so 
that  the  new  church  shall  be  "beautiful  for  situation, 
the  joy  of  the  whole  community."     When  Dr.  Smith 


3IO  OHIO   METHODISM. 

was  removed  by  expiration  of  time,  the  Rev,  E.  A. 
Simons,  D.  D.,  was  appointed  to  the  pastorate.  Under 
his  very  wnse  and  efficient  management,  and  by  the  aid 
of  his  taste  and  good  judgment,  a  most  excellent  plan 
for  the  new  building  was  secured;  and  the  work  of 
erecting  the  church  was  begun  and  under  very  care- 
ful administration  carried  forward  till  the  close  of  the 
Conference  year  of  1896. 

The  work  has  gone  forw'ard  somewdiat  slowdy  on 
account  of  the  great  financial  depression,  which  has 
made  the  collection  of  money  almost  an  impossibility. 
As  the  business  conditions  improve,  the  w^ork  wdll  be 
pushed  to  completion;  and  when  this  building  is  com- 
pleted, the  Church  in  Alliance  will  have  one  of  the 
most  comfortable  and  commodious  church-homes  to 
be  found  anywhere. 

On  Sunday,  March  6,  1898,  the  basement  of  the 
new  church  was  occupied  for  the  first  time  for  Wor- 
ship. It  was  a  great  day  to  the  jMethodist  people  of 
the  city.  The  Sabbath-school  began  the  service  of 
the  day  wdth  an  attendance  of  573.  The  congregations 
were  large  at  each  service,  those  of  the  morning  and 
evening  numbering  at  least  one  thousand  each.  The 
Rev.  D.  H.  Moore,  editor  of  the  Western  Christian 
Advocate,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  was  present.  He 
preached  grandly  at  both  services.  Under  his  skillful 
management, $6,400  was  raised  to  pay  ofif  indebtedness, 
and  to  go  forw^ard  with  the  work  of  completing  the 
church.  The  society  is  now^  settled  in  its  new  home, 
and  is  hopefully  looking  forward  to  the  time  wdien  the 
completed  temple  shall  be  theirs,  and  shall  be  owned 
of  God  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  T.  W.  Lane. 


METIIOniSM  IX   CITIES.  3IT 


METHODISM  IN  ATHENS. 


According  to  ''History  of  Hocking  Valley,"  pub- 
lished in  1883,  "the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is 
the  pioneer  religious  organization  of  Athens,  and,  in- 
deed, of  the  whole  Hocking  Valley.  The  Methodists 
have  had  a  society  here  from  the  year  1800,  when  Rev. 
James  Ouinii  made  a  missionary  tour  up  the  Hock- 
ing Valley,  and  preached  in  Athens,  and  during  the 
early  as  well  as  later  years  of  their  Church  history  here, 
have  numbered  among  their  preachers  some  very 
able,  earnest,  and  useful  men."  Among  the  other  pio- 
neer preachers  who  labored  to  build  up  Methodism 
in  Athens  may  be  named  Jacob  Young,  Peter  Cart- 
wright,  Cornelius  Springer,  Curtis  Goddard,  Absalom 
Fox,  John  Ferree,  and  Robert  O.  Spencer. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  that  the  Methodist 
Church  in  Athens  is  nine  years  the  senior  of  her 
Presbyterian  sister;  three  years  older  than  the  State 
of  Ohio;  and  was  five  years  of  age  when  the  county  of 
Athens  was  erected  by  legislative  enactment  into  a 
separate  county. 

Until  18 1 3  the  struggling  little  society  worshiped 
in  private  houses,  being  too  small  and  too  poor  to  fur- 
nish for  itself  better  accommodations.  In  that  his- 
toric year,  however,  a  little  brick  church  Avas  erected, 
21  nd  was  occupied  until  1837,  when  the  more  commo- 
dious edifice  on  College  Street  was  built.  In  1861, 
this  house,  proving  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  the 
growing  congregation,  was  thoroughly  remodeled. 
Since  then  it  has  had  several  improvements  made  from 
time  to  time,  one  of  the  most  important' being  the  ad- 


312  OHIO   METHODISM. 

dition  of  a  comfortal^le  lecture-room  in  the  rear  of 
the  main  building-,  built  in  1875.  Last  year  the  au- 
dience-room was  remodeled  and  handsomely  furnished 
at  a  cost  of  some  $3,000,  and  is  now  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  comfortable  places  of  worship  in  South- 
ern Ohio.  The  massive  pulpit  furniture  of  carved  oak 
(than  which  there  is  nothing  more  handsome  any- 
where) w^as  the  gift  of  Professor  W.  M.  Stine,  a 
memorial  tribute  to  his  wife,  Mrs.  Corinne  Super  Stine. 

In  1828,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Henry  S. 
Farnandis,  the  Church  enjoyed  a  great  revival,  at 
which  such  men  as  J.  M.  Trimble,  the  son  of  Governor 
Trimble,  and  afterw^ards  for  many  years  one  of  the 
most  prominent  and  useful  ministers  of  Ohio  Meth- 
odism; Edward  R.  Ames,  who  for  twenty-seven  years 
was  one  of  the  bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church;  and  William  Herr,  late  of  the  Cincinnati 
Conference,  and  a  tower  of  strength  in  the  ministry 
of  the  Church  for  more  than  sixty  years,  were  among 
the  converts.  In  addition  to  these  distinguished  men 
there  have  gone  out  from  the  Athens  Methodist 
Church,  Bishops  Earl  Cranston  and  C.  C.  McCabe, 
and  Dr.  D.  H.  Moore,  the  able  and  beloved  editor 
of  the  Western  Christian  Advocate,  with  many  other 
equally  faithful  servants  of  the  Master. 

Methodism  in  Athens  was  never  stronger  than  it 
h  to-day.  With  a  membership  of  more  than  five  hun- 
dred (including  the  probationers);  a  Sunday-school 
numbering  some  three  hundred ;  an  Epworth  League 
and  Junior  League,  both  well  officered,  the  Church 
is  thoroughly  organized  for  the  successful  accomplish- 
ment of  its  mission.  D.  C.  Thomas. 


METIiniUSM  IN   CITIES.  313 

METHODISM  IN  BARNHSVILLE. 

Methodism  is  closely  associated  with  the  earliest 
history  of  Barnesville,  Belmont  County,  Ohio.  In 
1806,  James  Barnes,  of  St.  Clairsville,  entered  the  land 
on  which  the  village  now  stands,  and  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Rev.  James  Rounds  to  start  a  tannery.  It 
was  stipulated,  as  a  part  of  the  agreement,  that  two 
acres  of  land  should  be  set  apart  for  a  Methodist 
church  and  burying-ground,  and  that  Mr.  Rounds 
should  have  the  right  to  select  the  spot.  The  place 
selected  was  indeed  "beautiful  for  situation."  Bishop 
Asbury,  who  w^as  making  an  episcopal  tour  through 
Ohio  the  next  year,  visited  Barnesville,  and  when 
taken  to  the  site  selected  for  the  church,  remarked: 
"Brother  Rounds,  you  have  chosen  wisely;  now  build 
your  house,  and,  my  word  for  it,  Methodism  will  take 
possession  of  both  town  and  country."  His  predic- 
tion has  been  verified. 

The  first  sermon  preached  in  Barnesville  was  by 
James  Rounds,  a  local  preacher,  at  his  own  house. 
After  the  sermon  a  society  was  formed,  class-meeting 
held,  and  Methodism  planted.  In  1808,  Robert  R. 
Roberts,  who  afterwards  became  bishop,  was  sent  to 
this  circuit,  and  was  greatly  successful  in  carrying 
forward  the  work.  In  the  year  18 10  the  society  built 
the  first  church  on  the  spot  selected  by  Mr.  Rounds. 
It  w-as  a  rude  structure,  built  of  large  logs,  roughly 
hewn,  clapboard  roof,  puncheon  floor;  slab  seats 
minus  backs;  a  large,  open  fireplace  at  each  rear 
corner,  sufficiently  capacious  to  receive  the  proverbial 
"big  back-log."     The   pulpit,   with   its    filigree   trim- 


314  OHIO   METHODISM. 

niings,  was  placed  between  the  two  fires  (rather  sig- 
nificant), and,  of  course,  the  indispensable  "mourners' 
bench"  in  front. 

About  the  years  1811  and  1813,  Rev.  James  B. 
Finley  traveled  this  circuit,  and  imparted  to  it  a  good 
measure  of  that  spiritual  vigor  which  so  characterized 
that  holy  man. 

But  the  time  came  at  length  when  a  new  house 
must  be  built.  The  rough  log  had  lived  its  day.  For 
twelve  years  it  had  been  used  for  worship,  and  it 
must  give  way  to  something  better.  In  1821  it  was 
determined  to  erect  a  brick  building  just  east  of  the 
log  structure.  A  plan  was  submitted  by  Mr.  Charles 
Scurr,  which  was  accepted;  and  to  him  was  awarded 
the  contract  for  building.  The  ground  plan  was  40 
by   50  feet,  one  story. 

In  1822  the  house  was  ready  for  occupancy;  and 
the  congregation,  with  joyful  hearts,  because  ''the 
wilderness  and  the  solitary  place"  were  indeed  being 
made  glad,  moved  into  their  new  church-home.  The 
first  sermon  was  by  Rev.  John  Graham,  and,  did  space 
permit,  a  long  list  of  the  families  might  be  named 
which,  strong  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  laid  here  the 
foundation  of  an  enduring  spiritual  fabric. 

In  1853  the  Official  Board  concluded  that  the  in- 
terests of  the  Church  would  be  subserved  by  making 
Barnesville  a  station;  and  the  action  necessary  to  that 
end  was  taken.  So  the  Conference  of  1854  recognized 
the  change,  and  Rev.  John  W.  Baker  was  sent  as  the 
first  pastor.  While  many  had  their  misgivings  as  to 
the  advisability  of  the  change,  yet  the  Lord  recognized 
the  work  in  the  conversion  of  ninety  souls  that  first 


METHODTSM  IN  CITIES.  315 

year.  Rev.  John  Coil,  who  several  years  afterward 
was  mobbed  in  Pennsylvania  for  his  bitter  denuncia- 
tion of  the  liquor-traffic,  and  from  which  vile  assault 
he  never  recovered,  was  sent  as  Mr.  Uaker's  suc- 
cessor. During-  his  pastorate  it  dawned  on  the  society 
that  the  brick  on  the  hill  was  too  small  for  the  largely- 
increased  congregations,  so  it  was  determined  to  seek 
a  more  central  location,  and  build  on  a  larger  scale. 
The  best  available  location  proved  to  be  the  corner 
of  Chestnut  and  Church  Streets.  Accordingly  the  lot 
was  secured,  and  the  work  began.  The  house  was 
to  be  a  brick,  two-story,  48  by  ^2.  feet,  with  a  gallery 
across  the  rear  end  of  the  upper  audience-room. 

The  first  revival  service  held  in  the  new  church  re- 
sulted in  just  one  hundred  souls  being  converted.  And 
so  the  Lord  owned  the  work.  Dr.  I.  N.  Baird,  presi- 
dent of  the  Pittsburg  Female  Seminary,  conducted  the 
dedicatory  services,  and  another  victory  w^as  inscribed 
on  the  banner  of  Methodism  in  Barnesville.  While 
Rev.  J.  L.  Deens  was  pastor,  in  1863,  the  society  was 
seized  with  the  idea  that  we  were  strong  enough  and 
generous  enough  to  entertain  the  Pittsburg  Confer- 
ence. So  a  cordial  invitation  was  extended  to  that 
body,  which  was  accepted.  The  Conference  was  held 
in  the  spring  of  1864. 

The  greatest  revival  in  the  history  of  the  Church 
visited  this  people  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  S.  L. 
Binkley,  a  missionary  from  China.  It  lasted  over 
two  w^inters,  and  more  than  four  hundred  souls  pro- 
fessed conversion.  During  his  labors  at  Barnesville 
the  East  Ohio  Conference  held  its  session  there,  and 
was  royally  entertained.     Bishop  Foster  presided,  and 


3l6  OHIO   METHODISM. 

his  sermon  on  the  Sabbath,  from  Psahns  viii,  3-5,  was 
a  marvel  in  thought  and  eloquence. 

Once  more  it  became  apparent  that  the  church  was 
too  small  for  the  largely-increased  congregations,  and 
it  was  voted  once  more  to  build  larger.  The  site  be- 
ing too  small  for  the  new  plan  which  was  adopted,  the 
very  desirable  location  on  the  corner  of  Church  and 
Broadway  was  secured,  and  the  work  undertaken.  Pos- 
sibly— yes,  probably — Dr.  C.  E.  Manchester  was  sent 
to  this  charge  with  a  view  to  carrying-  the  project  to 
completion.  And,  verily,  he  proved  to  be  the  right 
man.  The  old  church  and  lot  having  been  sold,  a 
large  frame  tabernacle,  40  by  70  feet,  was  hastily  built; 
and  in  this  rude  structure  the  Lord  visited  his  people 
for  one  whole  year.  But  it  did  seem  like  getting  back 
to  first  principles.  The  plan  of  the  new  church-build- 
ing was  on  the  most  modern  scale,  and  combined  as 
fully  all  the  advantages  and  conveniences  as  could  be 
well  united  in  a  single  structure.  The  total  cost  was 
$26,000.  The  tabernacle  was  abandoned  in  May,  1890, 
and  the  Sabbath-school  room  occupied.  The  new 
temple  was  at  length  completed,  and  Sabbath,  Sep- 
tember 28,  1890,  set  as  the  day  for  dedication.  Bishops 
Joyce  and  Thoburn  conducted  the  services,  and  after 
a  debt  of  $7,000  was  provided  for,  the  place  w^as  sol- 
emnly dedicated  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God. 
And  so  still  another  victory  was  the  heritage  of 
Barnesville  Methodists. 

Methodism  began  in  Barnesville  with  the  laying- 
out  of  the  village,  in  1806;  and  the  close  of  the  cen- 
tury still  finds  it  pushing  onward  to  still  greater  work. 
True,  there  are  the  Presbyterian  with  its  350  members; 


METIIOniSM  IN   CITIES.  317 

the  Disciples,  350;  the  Friends,  lOo;  the  African,  150; 
the  Roman  Cathohc,  150;  but  the  Methodist  with  900 
members  holds  on  its  way  towards  lifting  this  com- 
munity into  higher  and  holier  life.  May  her  star 
never  dim!  J.  D.  Talbott. 

METHODISM  IN  BELLEFONTAINE. 

The  Rev.  John  Strange,  who  was  widely  known 
as  a  pioneer  preacher  in  Indiana  and  Ohio,  is  said  to 
have  preached  the  first  Methodist  sermon  in  this  re- 
gion, about  the  year  18 16,  in  the  old  town  of  Belle- 
ville, located  south  of  the  present  site  of  the  Logan 
County  fair-grounds.  He  was  a  frequent  guest  in 
the  log-cabin  of  Samuel  Carter,  which  was  situated 
south  of  the  town  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the 
residence  of  William  P.  Carter.  The  town  of  Belle- 
fontaine  was  laid  out  in  18 18  by  William  Powell,  and 
soon  outstripped  its  rival,  and  became  the  center  of 
missionary  operation  in  this  county.  Such  men  as  the 
Rev.  James  B.  Finley  and  the  Rev.  Russel  Bigelow, 
whose  fame  as  great  preachers  and  heroic  missionaries 
in  these  primeval  wildernesses  of  Ohio  w^ill  never  be 
forgotten,  were  frequent  visitors  in  these  parts,  and 
did  effective  work  in  laying  the  foundation  of  Meth- 
odism in  this  vicinity. 

The  first  church-building,  or,  as  it  was  then  called, 
meeting-house,  was  a  little  brick  structure,  20  by  25 
feet,  located  on  the  lot  now  occupied  by  the  residence 
of  Robert  Lamb.  The  lot  was  conveyed  by  Samuel 
Newell  to  the  trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  for  fifty-five  dollars,  the  date  of  the  deed  be- 
ing December  18,  1826.  The  church  was  then  in 
process  of  erection,  and  was  completed  early  in  1827. 


3l8  OHIO   METHODISM. 

In  1839,  di-inng  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  William 
Morrow,  a  new  and  larger  church  was  built  upon 
tlie  site  of  the  old  edifice,  costing  one  thousand  one 
hundred  and  thirty-nine  dollars.  He  was  supported 
in  the  enterprise  by  a  zealous  body  of  men,  fore- 
most among  whom  were  Lemuel  G.  Collett,  Noah 
Z.  McColloch,  Daniel  Hopkins,  James  Starr,  Jonathan 
Seamen,  and  Isaac  S.  Gardner.  The  church  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  in  1840,  the  dedicatory  sermon 
being  preached  by  the  Rev.  Adam  Poe. 

Bellefontaine  was  made  a  station  in  1847,  during 
the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  L.  Yourtee,  and  from 
that  time  the  work  of  the  Church  was  blessed  with  an 
increasing  growth  and  prosperity.  A  division  oc- 
curred in  1853,  while  the  Rev.  David  Rutledge  was 
pastor,  the  congregation  worshiping  in  the  old  church, 
calling  itself  First  Charge,  and  the  other  calling  itself 
Second  Charge,  and  worshiping  for  a  short  time  in  the 
little  brick  church  which  was  located  back  of  the  pres- 
ent African  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  was  re- 
cently torn  down.  The  Second  Charge  soon  projected 
a  church  edifice,  and  located  it  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  Main  Street  and  Sandusky  Avenue.  The 
congregation  was  not  a  wealthy  one,  and  it  was  only 
after  hard  work  and  the  most  rigorous  self-denial  that 
they  finally  brought  their  handsome  church  to  com- 
pletion at  a  cost  of  seven  thousand  dollars. 

The  two  charges  were  consolidated  in  1858  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  pastorates  of  the  Rev.  Franklin 
Marriott  and  the  Rev.  Oliver  Kennedy.  The  Rev. 
Thomas  Parker  was  the  first  pastor  of  the  united 
congregations.      His    deeply    spiritual    and    magnetic 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  319 

eloquence  is  still  remembered  by  many  of  his  old 
parishioners.  The  Church  now  entered  upon  a  period 
of  great  prosperity.  The  pastoral  term  was  increased 
to  three  years  in  1864,  and  for  five  successive  pas- 
torates the  full  term  was  served;  namely,  by  the  Revs. 
Wesley  G.  Waters,  L.  A.  Belt,  Isaac  Newton,  S.  L. 
Roberts,  and  E.  D.  Whitlock.  Since  1863,  with  the 
exception  of  two  years,  there  has  not  been  a  pastorate 
of  less  than  three  years'  duration. 

In  the  autumn  of  1885,  during  the  Rev.  Isaac 
Newton's  second  pastorate,  occurred  what  is  known 
as  the  Great  Bitler  Revival,  which  resulted  in  about 
two  hundred  accessions  to  the  Church.  The  church- 
building  now  became  inadequate  to  accommodate 
the  growing  congregation.  A  new  church  was  ac- 
cordingly erected,  and  the  dedicatory  services  were 
held  Sunday,  June  23,  1889,  Bishop  John  P.  Newman 
preaching  the  sermon.  It  was  a  great  occasion,  fully 
sixteen  hundred  people  being  present;  and  under  the 
efficient  management  of  Presiding  Elder  L.  A.  Belt, 
nine  thousand  dollars  was  raised  in  subscriptions  to 
cover  the  total  indebtedness. 

The  church  edifice  was  at  first  thought  to  be  en- 
tirely too  large,  but  already  the  large  congregations 
and  the  growing  Sunday-school  often  crowd  its  ut- 
most capacity.  But  growth  in  numbers,  large  con- 
gregations, financial  achievements,  and  the  outward 
evidences  of  prosperity  do  not  suffice.  We  need  spir- 
itual power,  intelligent  zeal,  and  consecrated  Christian 
activity.  C.  R.  Havighorst. 


;20  OHIO   METHODISM. 


METHODIvSM  IN  BUCYRUS. 


The  Methodists  were  the  first  religious  body  to 
enter  into  Crawford  County,  and  have  been  the  lead- 
ing denomination.  In  1821,  Jacob  Hooper  was  ap- 
pointed preacher-in-charge,  and,  his  circuit  being 
seven  hundred  miles  around,  he  reached  here  but  once 
every  eight  weeks.  Jacob  Young  was  presiding  elder. 
In  1822,  Thomas  McCleary  was  preacher-in-charge; 
and  in  1823  the  circuit  was  made  smaller,  and,  James 
Roe  being  appointed  junior  preacher,  the  people  had 
preaching  every  two  weeks. 

It  was  in  this  year  that  two  brothers,  John  O.  and 
William  Blowers,  began  a  most  active  work  in  Craw- 
ford County.  They  came  from  Vermont,  and  were 
of  Puritanic  stock,  fairly  well  educated,  having  good 
libraries  for  those  days.  They  were  a  great  help  to 
the  community, — they  aided  in  educational  work, 
assisting  in  building  the  first  schoolhouse  in  their 
township;  they  organized  the  first  Methodist  class 
which  was  connected  with  the  Bucyrus  Church;  or- 
ganized the  first  Sunday-school  in  the  county,  and 
John  was  the  first  superintendent.  They  were  the  first 
to  be  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  in  the  county;  and 
they  did  good  work  for  the  Master,  being  powerful  in 
revivals,  and  helpful  in  teaching  in  the  schools  and 
in  the  Sunday-schools,  having  a  restraining  influence 
over  the  lawless,  enforcing  the  observance  of  the  Sab- 
bath. One  incident  in  John's  life  shows  his  regard 
for  the  Sabbath.  Having  sold  a  mill  he  had  built  on 
the  Sandusky,  a  few  miles  above  Bucyrus,  the  party 
buying  it  ran  it  on  Sunday;  and  John,  not  being  able 


METHODISM   IX   CITIES.  32  1 

to  Stop  it,  bought  the  mill  back,  and  then  it  was  not 
run  on  Sunday.  Communities  settled  by  such  men 
felt  the  effect  of  their  lives  for  many  generations. 

During  the  }'ear  1832  the  first  church  was  built, 
whicli  was  also  the  first  in  the  village.  The  land  was 
given  by  j\Ir.  Norton,  who  was  the  earliest  settler  here, 
he  giving  us  a  large  lot  on  Mansfield  Street,  which  we 
lield  and  occupied,  with  church  and  parsonage  prop- 
erty, for  sixty  years.  The  church  was  a  one-story 
brick,  and  w^as  used  twenty  years. 

In  1849,  David  Gray,  Gabriel  W^illiams,  and  Jesse 
Durbin  were  the  preachers;  and  in  1850  the  new  two- 
story  brick  church  was  begun,  which  was  built  on  the 
site  of  the  first  one  built,  and  in  185 1  was  dedicated 
by  Adam  Poe. 

In  1888.  Rev.  J.  S.  Reager  was  appointed  as 
preacher-in-charge.  He  made  himself  felt  in  Bucyrus 
with  his  pushing  spirit,  and  soon  a  new  church  was 
talked  of;  and  by  the  aid  of  a  strong  force  of  good 
men  and  women  arid  an  efficient  Building  Committee, 
composed  of  the  pastor,  Judge  J.  C.  Tobias,  M.  R. 
Lewis,  M.  J.  Monnette,  and  Col.  H.  M.  Deal,  plans 
were  prepared,  and  a  lot  purchased,  and  the  old  church 
property  sold;  and  on  September  10,  1889,  Dr.  Earl 
(now  Bishop)  Cranston  laid  the  corner-stone  of  one  of 
the  best  churches  in  Ohio  Methodism.  It  w^as  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  in  the  fall  of  1890,  by  David  H. 
Moore,  editor  of  the  Western  Christian  Advocate. 

The  people  of  Bucyrus  are  progressive,  and   the 

Church  has  in  it  many  public-spirited  men,  and  those 

prominent    in    l)usiness    and    public    circles.      There 

is  a  great  future  before  the  Methodism  of  Bucyrus. 

21 


322  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Since  the  building  of  the  new  church  the  membership 
has  doubled,  and  still,  with  the  resources  at  hand  and 
the  splendid  church-building,  greater  things  can  be 
expected.  M.  J.  Keyes. 

METHODISM  IN  CANTON. 

The  first  preaching  in  Canton  by  ministers  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  in  1817,  by  J.  A. 
Waterman,  presiding  elder,  and  J.  Graham,  circuit 
preacher. 

During  the  year  1833-34  there  was  erected  a  frame 
church.  The  Sabbath-school  was  reorganized  during 
1836.  The  church  was  sold  in  the  year  1866,  and  re- 
moved to  the  southwest  corner  of  South  Cleveland 
Avenue  and  Seventh  Street. 

In  1856,  Canton  became  a  station.  In  1862-3,  ^'^'^- 
ing  the  pastorate  of  S.  P.  Wolf,  the  new  brick  church 
on  the  corner  of  West  Tuscarawas  and  Poplar  (now 
Cleveland  Avenue)  was  built.  The  church  was  dedi- 
cated on  the  13th  of  March,  1864,  by  Edward  Thom- 
son, D.  D.,  and  Thomas  Bowman,  D.  D.,  both  of 
whom  were  afterwards  made  bishops. 

A  fact  worthy  of  special  mention  in  this  connection 
is,  that  the  church,  costing  $45,000,  was  dedicated  en- 
tirely free  from  debt,  and  on  the  date  of  dedication  a 
missionary  contribution  of  over  $6,000  was  given  as 
a  thank-ofifering  by  the  congregation. 

At  the  session  of  the  Pittsburg  Conference  held  in 
Canton,  in  March,  1876,  the  Conference  was  divided, 
and  that  part  of  it  lying  in  Ohio  became,  with  the  Ohio 
part  of  the  Erie  Conference,  the  East  Ohio  Conference. 

Sunday,  January  2,  1881,  was  a  clear  but  intensely 


METIIOI-tlSM    IX   CITIES.  323 

cold  day,  and  the  occasion  of  the  second  quarterly- 
meeting  of  that  Conference  year.  The  presiding  elder, 
Dr.  B.  F.  Brooke,  being  absent,  the  pastor.  Dr.  Hiram 
Miller,  ofificiated  in  his  stead. 

He  had  closed  his  sermon  and  just  commenced 
the  communion  service,  when  the  alarm  of  fire  startled 
the  congregation.  It  was  discovered  that  the  church 
was  on  fire  between  the  ceiling  and  roof.  Under  the 
assuring  counsels  of  the  pastor  a  panic  was  averted, 
the  people  leaving  in  such  perfect  order  that  persons 
outside  thought  that  they  were  being  regularly  dis- 
missed, without  any  knowledge  of  the  fire. 

By  reason  of  their  inability  to  secure  promptly  a 
sufificient  supply  of  water,  owing  to  the  frozen  con- 
dition of  the  fire-hydrants,  the  firemen  were  unable  to 
check  the  conflagration,  which  increased  with  such 
rapidity  that  within  a  l)rief  time  the  massive  and  beau- 
tiful structure  was  destroyed  beyond  repair. 

A  committee  was  at  once  appointed  to  correspond 
with  different  architects,  with  a  view  to  either  repairing 
the  burned  building  or  erecting  a  new  church.  After 
numerous  meetings  of  the  Board,  it  was  decided  to 
tear  down  the  walls  of  the  old  church,  and  build  an 
entirely  new  structure  on  its  site,  Air.  Frank  Weary, 
of  Akron,  being  selected  as  the  architect. 

In  the  meantime  it  was  decided  to  accept  the  offer 
of  the  Second  Methodist  congregation,  and  hold  our 
services  in  their  church  until  we  could  find  a  suitable 
room  to  be  occu])ied,  jx^nding  the  erection  of  our  new 
church.  The  following  March,  the  congregation  be- 
gan holding  services  in  the  Monitor  Block,  which  had 
previously  been  rented  and  fitted  up  for  the  purpose. 


324  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Here  the  congregation  continued  to  worship  until 
December  17,  1882,  when  the  Sunday-school  room  of 
the  new  church  was  completed,  and  the  congregation 
held  its  services  therein  until  the  completion  of  the  en- 
tire edifice. 

The  auditorium  being  completed  and  the  pews 
temporarily  located  (the  work  being  expedited  as 
much  as  possible,  with  a  view  to  accommodating  the 
Annual  Conference,  which  held  its  session  therein, 
commencing  September  26th),  the  formal  dedication 
of  the  church  took  place  on  the  preceding  Sunday, 
September  23,  1883,  Bishop  C.  D.  Foss  officiating. 
The  furnishing,  carpeting,  upholstering,  heating,  etc., 
were  not,  however,  completed  until  December  ist  fol- 
lowing, when  it  was  permanently  occupied. 

The  church  property,  not  including  the  ground 
which  it  occupies,  cost  $137,000,  and  it  was  dedicated 
free  from  debt.  A  pleasant,  well-furnished  parsonage 
adjoins  the  church  on  the  south. 

During  the  years  that  have  elapsed,  three  other 
Methodist  Churches  have  gone  out  from  the  mother 
Church ;  viz.,  Sim]3son,  Dueber  Avenue,  and  Lawrence 
Avenue. 

First  Church,  at  this  time,  has  a  membership  of 
over  twelve  hundred,  a  Sunday-school  of  eight  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  a  strong  Epworth  League,  and  is  well 
equipped  and  doing  excellent  work.  One  of  the  strong 
features  of  this  Church  has  been  for  years  its  large 
and  enthusiastic  prayer-meetings.  One  may  expect  to 
find  the  lecture-room  filled  to  overflowing  almost  any 
Thursday  evening  of  the  year  in  ordinarily  pleasant 
weather. 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  325 

First  Church  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  Presi- 
dent McKinley  as  one  of  its  members,  and  as  a  trustee. 
The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  C.  E.  Manchester,  D.  D., 
who  was  an  army  comrade  of  President  McKinley, 
having  served  in  the  same  regiment  with  him.  In 
1897  the  four  Alethodist  Churches  had  an  aggregate 
membership  of   1,802. 

Methodism  is  an  acknowledged  power  in  Canton, 
being  numerically  much  stronger  than  any  other  de- 
nomination in  the  city.  C.  E.  Manchester. 

METHODISM  IN  CAMBRIDGE. 

The  first  Methodist  preacher  to  preach  in  Cam- 
bridge, so  far  as  known,  was  Peter  Cartwright,  who 
in  1807-8  traveled  the  Muskingum  and  Kanawha  Cir- 
cuit of  the  Ohio  District,  Western  Conference.  He 
says,  in  his  autobiograph}-,  that  it  was  four  hundred 
miles  long,  up  the  Muskingum  north  of  the  Ohio 
River  and  up  the  Kanawha  south  of  the  Ohio  River, 
and  that  in  making  his  round  he  had  to  cross  and  re- 
cross  those  rivers  four  times,  and  that  this  year  he  had 
hard  work  to  keep  soul  and  body  together.  Thomas 
Sarchct.  a  i)ioneer  settler,  leaves  this  record:  "There 
being  no  religious  worship  cstal:>lished  here  by  any  de- 
nomination, I  wrote  to  the  P)altimore  Annual  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  to  send  us  on 
a  preacher.  The  Rev.  James  Watts  was  accordingly 
sent  on.  From  that  time  my  heart  and  my  house  have 
been  open  to  receive  the  preachers,  and  my  wife  and 
myself  have  dor.e  all  we  could  to  render  them  com- 
fortable, and  to  open  their  way  to  be  useful  among  the 
citizens.    A  class  was  raised  i)rincipally  of  the  French, 


326  OHIO   METHODISM. 

who  were  among  the  earlier  immigrants  to  Guernsey 
County,  many  liaving  come  from  the  island  of  that 
name.  For  ten  or  fifteen  years  we  struggled  pretty 
much  alone  without  being  joined  by  many  Americans. 
Ultimately  they  began  to  come  in,  and  Methodism 
takes  hold  on  the  community."  As  Rev.  James  Watts 
came  from  the  Baltimore  Conference,  which  is  a 
Spring  Conference,  this  society  was  organized  some 
time  in  the  summer  of  1808. 

He  mapped  out  the  Wills  Creek  Circuit  of  the 
Ohio  District,  Western  Conference,  John  Sale,  pre- 
siding elder.  Revs.  James  Watts  and  William  Young 
were  returned  to  the  Wills  Creek  Circuit  in  1809-10. 
This  circuit  was  half  as  large  as  the  East  Ohio  Con- 
ference. The  following  were  the  appointments :  Zanes- 
ville,  Cambridge,  Leatherwood,  Barnesville,  St.  Clairs- 
ville,  Cadiz,  .Stillwater,  New  Philadelphia,  Sandy 
Creek,  Canton,  Sugar  Creek,  Whitewoman,  and 
Wapatomica.  In  1810-11,  James  B.  Finley  was  sent 
to  the  circuit;  James  Quinn,  presiding  elder  of  the 
Chillicothe  District,  Western  Conference.  We  shall 
not  speak  of  James  B.  Finley;  his  work  and  labors  and 
books  are  written  deep  down  in  the  history  of  Western 
Methodism.  In  181T-12,  John  Strange  and  Jacob  Mills 
were  sent  to  the  circuit.  John  Strange — Strange  by 
name  and  nature — was  the  Boanerges  of  Western 
]\Iethodism.  He  rode  his  circuit  with  a  hunting-knife 
in  a  scal)bard  at  his  side,  a  trusty  rifle  swung  over  his 
shoulder,  not  caring  wdiat  might  befall  him  so  that 
he  made  full  work  of  his  ministry  and  finished  his 
course  with  joy. 

The  first  i)reaching-place  in  Cambridge  was  at  the 


METHODISM   IN  CITIES.  327 

house  of  Thomas  Sarchet;  then,  after  the  first  court- 
house was  buih,  upstairs  in  the  grand-jury  room. 
Then  in  the  lower  room  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  now 
a  part  of  the  brick  house  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
Seventh  Street  and  Steubenville  Avenue. 

The  first  church  was  built  and  dedicated  in  1833, 
David  Young  and  Henry  Whiteman,  preachers  on  the 
Cambridge  Circuit,  Dr.  Joseph  J\l.  Trimble  preaching 
the  dedicatory  sermon.  This  church  cost  three  hun- 
dred dollars;  lot,  fifty  dollars. 

The  second  church  was  built  and  dedicated  in 
1854,  Revs.  Andrew  Magee  and  William  (lamble, 
preachers  on  Cambridge  Circuit,  and  Rev.  James  G. 
Sanson!  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon.  This 
church  and  lot  cost  six  thousand  dollars. 

The  third  church  was  built  during  the  pastorate 
of  Dr.  W.  H.  Locke  and  Dr.  J.  R.  Mills  on  Cambridge 
Station,  and  was  dedicated  January,  1886,  dedicatory 
sermon  preached  by  Bishop  Edward  G.  Andrews,  as- 
sisted by  Dr.  Joseph  M.  Trimble  and  Dr.  C.  H.  Payne. 
This  church  cost  thirty-two  thousand  dollars.  Dr.  S. 
P)urt.  present  pastor. 

Methodism,  with  a  fine  church,  having  a  member- 
ship of  715  in  1897,  makes  her  a  power  for  good  in  the 
community.  C.  P.  B.  Sarchet. 

METHODISM  IN  CHIT.LICOTHE. 

L^ndoubtedly  the  first  Church  people  in  Chillicothc 
were  Presbyterians.  The  negotiations  with  General 
Massie  for  the  first  settlement  here  were  carried  on 
by  a  Presbyterian  clergyman,  the  Rev.  Robert  W. 
Finlev,  for  himself  and  members  of  his  congregation 


32'S  OHIO  METHODISM. 

ill  Kciituck}-.  They  came  in  April,  1796.  But  the 
Methodists  foHowed  soon  after,  and  it  was  not  many 
years  before  Finley  himself,  and  his  sons,  were  mem- 
bers and  preachers  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

We  have  no  certain  knowledge  of  who  the  early 
Methodist  settlers  were  until  we  come  to  Dr.  Edward 
Tiffin  and  Everard  Harr,  both  local  preachers.  Dr. 
Tiffin  first  came  out  in  May,  1797,  with  his  brother- 
in-law,  Thomas  Worthington.  They  both  returned 
to  Virginia,  and  the  next  spring,  March,  1798,  again 
set  out.  Tiffin  from  Charlestown  and  Worthington 
from  Shepherdstown,  Va.,  with  their  wives  and  a  party 
of  relatives  and  freed  slaves,  to  make  Chillicothe  their 
permanent  home.  Everard  Harr  emigrated  from 
about  Carlisle,  Penn.,  and  settled  in  Chillicothe,  also 
in  1798.  These  two.  Tiffin  and  Harr,  w^ith  their  wives, 
were  certainly  among  the  earliest  well-known  Meth- 
odists in  Chillicothe. 

Whether  any  Methodist  traveling  preachers,  or 
itinerants,  as  they  w^ere  called,  visited  and  preached 
in  Chillicothe  prior  to  1799  can  not  now  be  known, 
but  prior  to  that  time.  Dr.  Tiffin,  for  some  reasons 
not  stated — but  partly,  perhaps,  because  there  w^as  no 
Methodist  society  in  the  town — organized  one  at  An- 
thony Davenport's,  on  Deer  Creek,  twelve  miles  north 
of  Chillicothe,  wdiere  he  had  regular  appointments  for 
preaching  and  meeting  the  class,  to  which  both  he  and 
his  w^ife  belonged. 

Everard  Harr,  on  the  organization  of  the  first  so- 
ciety of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Chillicothe, 
was  appointed  its  leader.  He  is  described  as  "a  mod- 
erate preacher,  1)ut  a  man  of  deep  piety  and  of  great 
simplicity  of  manners." 


METllOniSM   I\   CITIES.  329 

A  session  of  the  Western  Conference  was  held  at 
Bethel  Academy,  Jessamine  County,  Kentucky,  on 
May  I,  1799,  at  which  Henry  Smith  was  appointed 
preacher  for  the  Miami  Circuit,  in  the  territory  north- 
west of  the  Ohio  River.  Scioto  Circuit  does  not  ap- 
pear in  the  Conference  ^Minutes  until  1800,  when  it 
and  Miami  are  stated  as  being  in  the  Northwest  Terri- 
tory, and  Henry  Smith  is  named  as  the  preacher  on 
Scioto  Circuit,  he  having  been  so  appointed,  probably 
at  the  session  of  the  Holston  Conference,  held  at  Dun- 
worth,  in  April,  1800.  Mr.  Smith  afterward  published 
a  book,  styled  "Recollections  and  Reflections  of  an 
Old  Itinerant,"  covering  several  hundred  pages,  in 
which,  among  other  things,  he  gives  an  account  of  his 
proceedings  on  the  Scioto  Circuit. 

He  says:  "On  Sunday,  October  13,  1799,  I 
preached  at  Anthony  Davenport's,  on  Deer  Creek, 
twelve  miles  north  of  Chillicothe,  where  Dr.  Tififin  had 
organized  a  society,  and  had  his  regular  appointments. 
Monday,  the  14th,  T  rode  down  the  river  to  Chilli- 
cothe, and  put  up  with  Dr.  Tiffin,  with  whom  T  had 
long  l)cen  acquainted  in  X^irginia.  He  had  often 
preached  in  our  neighborhood,  and  sometimes  at  my 
father's.  He  and  his  excellent  wife  received  me  as  a 
messenger  of  Christ,  and  treated  me  with  great  kind- 
ness. She  was  one  of  the  most  conscientious  and 
lieavcnly-minded  women  T  ever  saw\  vShe  was,  indeed, 
a  mother  in  our  Israel.  About  that  time  a  report  was 
l)ut  in  circulation  that  the  Doctor  had  given  up  his  re- 
ligion; he  laughed  at  it,  and  said:  'It  would  not  do 
for  me  to  backslide,  for  my  wife  would  let  me  have  no 
j^cace.'     The   Doctor,   however,   refused   to   take   any 


330  OHIO   METHODISM. 

part  in  religious  exercises  in  Chillicothe,  out  of  his 
own  family:  he  had  reasons  for  it. 

"Tuesday  evening,  October  15,  1799,  I  preached 
my  first  sermon  in  Chillicothe;  I  think  in  a  school- 
house.  Half  the  congregation  had  never  before  heard 
a  Methodist  preacher.  I  never  saw  a  people  more 
orderly  or  attentive,  except  one  poor  drunkard,  who 
came  in  drunk,  and  made  some  disturbance;  but  the 
people  paid  little  attention  to  him.  From  that  time  I 
preached  in  the  town  once  in  three  weeks,  when  I 
could  get  a  place  to  preach,  and  generally  in  a  school- 
house.  There  was  a  log  house  called  the  Presbyterian 
meeting-house;  but  I  had  no  access  to  it.  The  morals 
of  the  people  were  such  as  are  common  in  newly- 
settled  countries,  and  religion  was  despised,  particu- 
larly Methodism,  \Ve  had,  however,  a  few  faithful 
souls,  who  held  fast  to  their  integrity,  and  adorned 
their  profession. 

"Sunday,  July  7,  1800,  I  preached  to  a  large  and 
serious  congregation  at  Davenport's,  on  Deer  Creek, 
at  eleven  o'clock,  and  rode  twelve  miles  to  Chillicothe, 
and  preached  again  under  the  trees,  it  being  a  pleasant 
evening.  Then  and  there  I  organized  the  first  Meth- 
odist society  in  Chillicothe." 

The  next  authentic  information  we  have,  following 
that  of  Henry  Smith,  is  found  in  Bishop  Asbury's 
Journal.  He  visited  Chillicothe  in  September,  1803, 
while  Sale  and  Timmons  were  the  traveling  preachers 
on  Scioto  Circuit.  He  notes  that  on  Saturday,  Sep- 
tember 24th,  of  that  year,  he  rode  from  White  Brown's, 
on  Deer  Creek,  to  Chillicothe,  fifteen  miles,  through 
lands  generally  rich.     He  preached  on  Sunday  at  the 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  33 1 

court-house  (used  also  for  a  State-house,  Ohio  hav- 
ing been  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  State  in  the 
preceding  March).  He  had  "about  five  hunched  hear- 
ers, and  would  have  had  more  had  not  the  rain  pre- 
vented." On  Monday  he  "came  away  from  Governor 
Tiffm's,  across  the  fat  lands  of  Paint  Creek." 

In  the  Minutes  for  1804,  the  Western  Conference 
is  made  to  embrace  four  districts,  one  of  them  called 
the  Ohio  District,  including  all  the  circuits  in  Ohio, 
and  one  on  the  Guyandotte  River.  William  Burke  was 
the  presiding  elder,  and  William  Pattison  and  Nathan 
Barnes  preachers  on  Scioto  Circuit.  The  next  session 
of  the  Western  Conference  was  to  be  held  at  the  same 
place  as  in  1803 — viz.,  Mt.  Gerizim,  Ky. — October  2, 
1804,  when  Louther  Taylor  and  Caleb  W.  Cloud  were 
appointed  to  Scioto  Circuit. 

A1:>out  this  time  the  first  movement  for  the  building 
of  a  meeting-house  in  Chillicothe  for  the  use  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  set  on  foot.  The 
assistant  preacher  of  the  Scioto  Circuit,  Caleb  W. 
Cloud,  nominated,  and  the  society  in  Chillicothe 
elected,  John  Shields,  Everard  Harr,  Joseph  Gardner, 
William  Rutlcdge,  and  Thomas  Scott  trustees  to  su- 
perintend its  erccti(^n.  The  writer  knew  all  of  these 
men,  except  Harr,  who  died  in  181 1,  and  Shields,  who 
moved  away  in  181 7.  At  least  three  of  them  were  local 
preachers.  On  Xoveml)er  6,  1804,  they  met  and  or- 
ganized by  the  election  of  a  president,  secretary,  and 
treasurer,  appointing  a  committee  to  draft  a  constitu- 
tion and  ])y-laws  for  their  government,  and  another 
to  select  a  site  for  the  i)roposed  meeting-house.  They 
adjourned  lo  meet  again  on  November  loth,  '"at  early 


332  OHIO  METHODISM. 

candle-light"  (this  was  the  ordinary  designation  of  the 
time  for  holding  evening  or  night  meetings  then,  and 
for  many  years  afterwards.  There  were  no  town- 
clocks,  and  clocks  and  watches  of  any  sort  were  owned 
by  but  few.  Sunrise,  noon,  sunset,  and  "early  candle- 
light" seemed  to  answer  the  purpose  of  the  time). 

The  constitution  which  they  adopted  and  their 
earliest  recorded  Minutes  are  models,  which  might 
well  be  followed  at  this  day.  They  first  contemplated 
building  on  in-lot  89,  fronting  99  feet  on  the  south  side 
of  Second  Street,  between  Walnut  Street  and  the  alley 
next  east,  which  was  priced  to  them  at  seventy  dollars, 
but  afterwiard  decided  to  purchase  in-lot  No.  61,  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  same  street  and  alley,  for  which 
they  paid  ninety  dollars,  the  payment  being  made  on 
the  delivery  of  the  deed  in  1805.  The  contract  for 
building  the  house  was  made  with  John  Shields  and 
William  Rutledge,  and  is  dated  April  27,  1805. 

Up  to  December,  1805,  only  one  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  had  been  collected  on  the  subscriptions,  of 
which  ninety  dollars  had  been  applied  in  payment  for 
the  lot.  No  progress  had  been  made  in  the  erection 
of  the  building,  and  on  December  16,  1805,  Messrs. 
Shields  and  Rutledge  abandoned  their  contract.  The 
trustees  then  resolved  to  sell  the  east  half  of  the  church- 
lot,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  make  the  sale,  and 
to  receive  proposals  from  bricklayers,  stonemasons, 
and  carpenters  for  building  the  meeting-house  accord- 
ing to  former  plans,  and  to  report  at  the  next  meeting. 

The  record-book  omits  all  further  proceedings, 
until  March  2,  1807.  The  Western  Conference,  at  its 
session  in   September,    1806,   had   appointed  its   next 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  333 

session  to  be  held  at  Chillicothe,  on  September  14, 
1807.  J^t  is  probable  that  this  fact  stirred  up  the  luke- 
warm society  at  Chillicothe,  and  caused  a  meeting 
of  the  male  members  of  the  town  classes  to  be  held 
at  the  meeting-house  on  March  2,  1807,  at  which  steps 
were  taken  ''toward  leaving  the  rent  due  for  the  meet- 
ing-house," which  had  been  used  up  to  that  time,  esti- 
mated to  the  last  day  of  that  month  at  twenty-four  dol- 
lars, \vhich  was  to  be  paid  over  to  John  Carlisle.  At 
the  same  meeting  they  elected  five  persons  as  trus- 
tees, to  superintend  the  completing  of  the  brick  meet- 
ing-house. These  persons  were  Samuel  Monett, 
Thomas  Scott,  John  Shields,  John  Martin,  and  Joseph 
S.  Collins,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-one  dollars  were 
immediately  subscribed  for  that  purpose.  On  March 
4th,  the  trustees,  so  elected,  met  and  organized.  They 
resolved  themselves  into  a  committee  to  procure  and 
collect  subscriptions  for  the  purpose  of  finishing  the 
meeting-house,  and  directed  two  of  their  number  to 
wait  on  and  solicit  subscriptions  from  all  the  inhal)- 
itants  of  Chillicothe.  On  March  7th  they  closed  a 
contract  with  Bayless  Nichols  for  j^art  of  the  work, 
according  to  his  proposals  then  on  file.  Here  the 
record  of  their  proceedings  stops  until  February,  1808. 
In  the  meantime,  during  1807,  it  is  certain  that  the 
meeting-house  had  been  gotten  ready  for  the  holding 
of  the  Conference.  It  w^as  the  first  ^Methodist  meeting- 
house in  the  Scioto  Valley.  Bishop  Asbury,  in  his 
Journal,  records  the  fact  that  on  Friday,  September  4, 
1807,  he  came  away  to  Chillicothe,  exclaiming:  "O 
the  mud  and  the  trees  in  the  path!  In  our  neat,  new 
house  I  preached  on  Sabbath  morning  to  about  five 


334  OHIO   METHODISM. 

hundred  hearers."  "There  are  some  pleasing  and 
some  unpleasing  accounts  here;  some  httle  trouble  in 
the  society ;  but  good  prospects  all  around  in  the  coun- 
try. .  .  .  On  Wednesday,  rode  to  Deer  Creek 
camp-ground,  and  returned  in  the  evening  to  Chilli- 
cothe.  On  IMonday,  September  14th,  opened  Con- 
ference, and  continued  sitting,  day  by  day,  until  Fri- 
day noon." 

The  trustees'  records  show  meetings  in  February 
and  August,  1808,  and  March  5  and  10,  18 10,  at  which 
some  changes  in  the  members  of  the  Board  were  made ; 
but  no  other  business  was  transacted,  except  the  em- 
ployment of  a  sexton. 

On  September  12,  1810,  a  meeting  was  held,  from 
which  it  would  appear  that  the  meeting-house  was  not 
yet  completed;  for  it  is  recorded  that  ''the  trustees 
proceeded  to  take  into  consideration  the  best  method 
of  raising  a  fund  to  finish  the  Methodist  meeting- 
house," and  their  secretary  (Rev.  Thomas  S.  Hinde) 
was  directed  to  prepare  five  subscription-papers  for 
that  purpose.  On  Septeml)er  20th  they  again  met, 
and  a  subscription-paper  was  delivered  to  each  trus- 
tee. It  does  not  appear  that  anything  was  done  toward 
finishing  the  house  at  that  time.  The  next  meeting 
was  on  February  2,  181 1,  when  it  was  resolved  to  pro- 
ceed without  delay  to  raise  a  sufficient  fund  to  finish 
the  house.  Subscription-papers  were  drawn  up  and 
placed  with  three  of  the  trustees,  who  were  to  report 
progress  at  a  future  meeting.  On  February  14th,  an- 
other meeting  was  held,  at  which  two  hundred  and 
fifty-four  dollars  was  reported  as  having  been  sub- 
scribed. 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  335 

The  work  to  be  done  consisted  of  supplying  the 
house  with  window-shutters,  building  a  gallery  with 
stairway,  and  plastering  the  house,  all  of  which  was 
estimated  to  cost  four  hundred  and  thirty-seven  dol- 
lars. 

On  Februar\'  23,  181 1,  further  steps  were  taken 
to  begin  and  complete  the  building.  During  the 
spring,  contracts  were  made  for  that  purpose.  It  was 
doubtless  completed,  in  accordance  with  the  plans, 
prior  to  the  first  session  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  which 
was  held  in  Chillicothe,  October  12,  1812.  (This  Con- 
ference was  formed  out  of  the  Western  Conference, 
qt  the  session  of  the  General  Coriference  held  in  New 
York  City,  in  May,  1812.) 

Dr.  Samuel  McAdow,  in  his  ''Old  Time  Reminis- 
cences," published  in  the  Ross  County  Register,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1869,  describes  the  house  as  built  of  brick,  with 
one  end  and  two  side  galleries;  the  pulpit  in  the  east 
end,  the  front  entrance  in  the  center  of  the  south  side, 
a  door  also  at  the  west  end;  a  flight  of  stairs  into  the 
gallery  at  the  northwest  corner;  the  floor  of  brick;  the 
gallery  on  the  north  side  was  appropriated  to  the 
colored  members. 

The  wTiter  has  somewhere  seen  a  statement  in 
print  to  the  effect  that  the  walls  of  the  house  being 
only  sixteen  feet  in  height,  the  gallery  was  necessarily 
near  the  roof;  but  notwithstanding  this,  the  Confer- 
ence, which  sat  there  in  18 12,  transacted  much  of  its 
business  in  the  gallery;  that  public  worship  was  held 
every  day  in  the  body  of  the  Church,  and  that  a  half- 
hour  before  the  opening  of  the  service,  the  Conference 
adjourned  to  the  gallery  and  continued  its  business 


336  OHIO   METHODISM. 

until  the  service  began^  when  it  adjourned  until  the 
service  was  over,  so  that  no  time  might  be  lost. 

Dr.  McAdow  further  says,  that  in  1819  the  society 
erected  a  new  edifice  in  the  rear  of  the  old  one,  which 
was  put  under  roof  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  when  the 
old  meeting-house  was  burned  to  the  ground,  and  the 
roof  on  the  new  one  destroyed;  that  the  society  then 
procured  a  room  in  the  old  woolen  factory  on  the 
west  side  of  Walnut  Street,  between  JMain  and  Second 
Streets,  known  in  after  years  as  "Wilson's  Factory," 
situated  on  the  lot  now  owned  by  Mrs.  John  Pere- 
grine. Here  they  worshiped  until  a  new  roof  was 
placed  on  the  Second  Street  church,  and  it  was  other- 
wise prepared  for  occupation. 

In  1818,  Chillicothe  was  still  in  Deer  Creek  Cir- 
cuit and  Scioto  District.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year 
the  Rev.  William  Swayze  and  the  Rev.  R.  W.  Finley 
were  appointed  by  the  Ohio  Conference  to  this 
circuit.  Finley  (the  father  of  the  Rev.  James  B.  Finley, 
of  Indian  missionary  fame)  had  been  a  Presbyterian 
minister,  as  has  heretofore  been  noted.  His  education 
was  far  in  advance  of  the  average  Methodist  minister 
of  that  day.  He  had  emigrated  from  Kentucky  in 
1796,  at  the  head  of  the  first  settlers  in  Chillicothe. 

The  winter  of  1818-19  was  marked  in  Chillicothe 
by  a  most  remarkable  revival  of  religion  in  the  ]\Ieth- 
odist  Church,  under  the  preaching  of  Swayze  and 
Finley,  during  which  hundreds  of  persons  were  con- 
verted and  added  to  the  Church.  It  was  known  and 
talked  of  for  many  years  as  "Swayze's  Revival." 

We  have  already  noted  the  fact  that  in  18 19  a  new 
church  edifice  was  erected  in  the  rear  of  the  old  one 


METHODISM   IN   CITIES.  337 

on  the  same  lot,  just  in  time  to  take  the  place  of  the 
old  one,  which  was  burned  to  the  ground  in  the  fall 
of  that  year.  The  roof  of  the  new  edifice  was  also  de- 
stroyed, and  some  delay  in  its  occupation  was  caused 
by  the  necessity  of  re-roofing  and  finishing  the  in- 
terior. 

At  the  Conference  held  in  the  autumn  of  1820, 
Chillicothe  Circuit  was  established.  This  was  the  first 
time  that  the  name  "Chillicothe"  was  given  to  a  cir- 
cuit or  station. 

Adbeel  Coleman  was  appointed  preacher  in  charge. 
At  the  next  Conference  he  reported  348  members  in 
the  circuit.  No\v  the  tw^o  Methodist  Churches  in  this 
city  number  785.  Here  let  our  history  of  early  Meth- 
odism in  Chillicothe  stop. 

The  period  covered  is  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury. It  witnessed  the  rescue  from  Indian  barbarism 
of  as  fair  a  land  as  ever  brightened  under  the  shining 
of  the  sun  by  day,  or  the  softer  radiance  of  the  moon 
and  stars  by  night;  the  establishment  of  a  Government 
based  on  the  principles  of  freedom,  and  the  introduc- 
tion and  spread  of  tlie  religion  of  Christ,  under  various 
forms  of  worship  and  minor  differences  in  belief,  but 
all  tending  to  the  one  end,  the  hallownng  of  God's 
Tiame  and  the  establishment  of  his  kingdom.  Since 
then  the  Methodist  Church  has  gone  on,  increasing 
in  numbers,  wealth,  public  esteem,  and  power  of  doing 
good,  losing  much  of  its  early  fervor,  but  gaining  in 
steadiness,  in  learning,  and  in  persistent  effort  to 
spread  the  gospel  throughout  the  world.  To  God  be 
the  glory!  W.  T.  AIcClintick. 


338  OHIO   METHODISM. 


METHODIvSM  IN   CINCINNATI. 

In  the  year  1804,  John  Colhns,  a  local  preacher  re- 
siding on  his  farm  in  Clermont  Connty,  came  to  Cin- 
cinnati to  purchase  salt.  He  happened  to  enter  the 
store  of  Thomas  Carter,  and  after  making  his  pur- 
chases, inquired  whether  there  were  any  Methodists  in 
the  town.  Mr.  Carter  replied  that  there  were,  and  that 
he  was  one.  So  overjoyed  was  Mr.  Collins  at  this 
unexpected  information  that  he  threw  his  arms  around 
Mr.  Carter's  neck  and  wept,  thanking  God  for  the 
good  news.  He  then  proposed  to  preach,  and  inquired 
whether  there  w^as  any  place  where  he  could  do  so. 
Mr.  Carter  offered  him  a  room  in  his  own  house,  and 
at  night  he  preached  to  a  company  of  about  tw-elve 
persons,  with  manifest  power,  and  to  the  great 
delight  of  his  hearers.  Mr.  Carter's  residence  was  on 
Main  Street  near  the  river,  and  in  one  of  its  upper 
rooms  were  gathered  all  the  Methodists  that  Cincin- 
nati then  had. 

Upon  Mr.  Collins's  departure  the  next  morning, 
he  promised  to  use  his  influence  w^ith  the  preachers 
traveling  the  Miami  Circuit,  adjoining  Cincinnati,  to 
take  that  place  in,  as  one  of  the  points  on  their  work. 
At  the  Western  Conference  of  1803,  held  at  Mount 
Gerizim,  Harrison  County,  Ky.,  October  2d,  William 
Burke  was  made  presiding  elder  of  the  Ohio  District, 
then  extending  from  the  Muskingum  and  the  Little 
Kanawha  Rivers  to  the  Great  Miami,  and  John  Sale 
and  Joseph  Oglesby  were  appointed  preachers  on  the 
circuit  named.  When  Mr.  Sale,  at  the  solicitation  of 
Mr.   Collins,  visited   Cincinnati  in    1804,   he  found  a 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  339 

small  class  already  formed,  consisting  of  eight  persons, 
but  not  regularly  enrolled.  He  preached  in  a  public 
house  kept  by  George  Gordon  on  Main  Street,  be- 
tween Front  and  Second  Streets,  and  after  preaching 
united  the  members  into  the  first  properly-constituted 
class,  appointing  James  Gibson  leader.  The  town  was 
thenceforward  made  a  preaching-])lace,  and  was  vis- 
ited regularly  every  two  weeks  by  one  of  the  circuit 
preachers. 

The  first  love-feast  of  the  Alethodists  in  Cincinnati 
was  held  in  the  court-house  in  1805.  This,  with  ihc 
other  public  buildings,  all  built  of  logs,  was  then  lo- 
cated on  the  south  side  of  Fifth  Street,  near  Main. 
The  love-feast  was  conducted  by  the  presiding  elder, 
and  one  of  the  circuit  preachers,  John  Meek.  The 
society  continued  to  grow^;  and  as  it  became  dif^cult 
to  find  a  place  large  enough  to  hold  their  meetings, 
they  resolved  to  build  a  house  of  worship  for  them- 
selves. Accordingly  they  contracted  with  James 
Kirby  for  the  purchase  of  two  lots  on  the  northwest 
corner  of  Fifth  Street  and  Broadway,  at  that  time  in 
the  outskirts  of  the  city,  and  in  the  midst  of  open 
fields.  Kirby's  deed  for  these  lots  was  dated  Septem- 
ber 25,  1805,  and  the  grant  was  made  by  himself  and 
wife  to  William  Lynes,  Robert  Richardson,  Chris- 
topher Smith,  James  Gibson,  and  James  Kirby,  as  trus- 
tees, for  the  sole  purpose  of  erecting  and  maintaining 
thereon  "a  house,  or  place  of  worship,  for  the  use  of 
the  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
the  United  States  of  America."  A  like  deed  from 
the  same  persons,  covering  the  same  premises,  with 
some  additional  ground,  was  made  October  17,  1807. 


340  OHIO   METHODISM. 

On  this  lot  the  Methodists  put  up  a  neat  and  con- 
venient stone  building-,  and  in  process  of  lime  a  par- 
sonage and  schoolhouse.  The  parsonage  was  on  the 
north  side  of  the  lot  fronting  on  Broadway,  and  the 
school-room,  built  of  wood,  stood  east  of  the  church, 
where  the  pastor's  ofifice  afterward  stood — a  frame 
building  containing  a  single  room,  in  which  the  offt- 
cial  meetings  were  held. 

In  1812,  when  the  earliest  records  of  the  Church 
w^ere  made,  209  persons  were  enrolled  on  its  books. 
The  membership  continued  to  increase,  and  in  1819  a 
second  church  was  built,  of  brick,  on  the  corner  of 
Fourth  and  Plum  Streets.  When  the  stone  church 
became  too  small  to  contain  the  congregations,  it  was 
extended  by  building  two  substantial  brick  wings  at 
the  rear^  on  each  side  of  the  structure,  each  about 
tw^enty  by  twenty-five  feet  in  size,  running  in  length 
east  and  west.  This  proved  to  be  only  a  temporary 
makeshift,  for  the  Church  soon  outgrew  both  these 
houses  of  worship.  By  1829  the  membership  had  in- 
creased to  1,142,  of  whom  more  than  100  were  colored 
persons,  and  the  congregations  were  proportionably 
larger.  It  was  then  determined  to  remove  the  old 
stone  building,  and  to  erect  in  its  place  a  brick  church 
sufficiently  large  to  accommodate  all  the  Methodists 
of  the  city.  This  was  the  beginning  of  what  is  now 
known  as  Wesley  Chapel.  The  house  was  completed 
in  183 1,  "for  the  people  had  a  mind  to  work."  With 
the  main  floor  and  the  gallery  on  three  sides,  there  is 
room  for  twelve  hundred  people;  and  for  many  years 
Wesley  Chapel  was  a  popular  assembly-room  for  large 
religious  and  educational  conventions.  In  this  church 
the  General  Conference  met  in  1836. 


METHODISM   IX   CITIES.  341 

Up  to  the  year  1822,  when  662  names  were  re- 
ported to  Conference,  only  one  ])reacher  had  been 
appointed  to  Cincinnati;  l)ut  the  work  was  now  i;Town 
so  hirs;c  tliat  two  preachers  were  sent, — John  F. 
Wright  and  Leroy  Swornistedt.  The  number  of 
preaching--])laces  was  increased  to  three, — the  stone 
church  (Wesley  Chapel),  Fourth  Street,  and  the  Afri- 
can church  on  New  Street,  east  of  Broadway.  Ten 
years  later  the  work  was  manned  by  three  preachers; 
and  in  1834  the  station  was  divided  into  two  charges, 
the  Eastern  and  the  Western,  and  Fulton  was  set  off 
by  itself.  Asbury  Chapel  had  also  become  a  place  for 
preaching  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  city,  and 
there  were  two  appointments  in  the  W^estern  Charge. 
Local  preachers  were  regularly  employed  to  fill  pulpits 
in  the  city  and  vicinity,  and  services  were  held  every 
Sunday  in  the  morning,  afternoon,  and  night.  Sun- 
day-schools and  class-meetings  filled  up  the  remaining 
hours,  and  the  Sabbath  was  a  day  of  spiritual  refresh- 
ment and  rest.  The  children  were  expected  to  stay  for 
worship  in  all  the  Churches  after  the  Sunday-schools 
were  dismissed. 

Wesley  Chapel  was  the  central  point  for  the  gath- 
ering of  all  the  Methodists  of  Cincinnati.  At  the  love- 
feasts  and  general  class-meetings  members  from  all 
the  charges  assembled  together,  and  the  connectional 
bond  was  strong.  The  Church  was  a  unit  in  all  re- 
ligious work.  Plans  were  printed  of  the  appointments, 
the  arrangements  for  filling  the  pulpits  having  first 
been  made  by  the  preachers  themselves,  and  these 
plans  covered  a  period  of  three  months  each.  In  all 
the   public    congregations,   and    even    in   the   prayer- 


342  OHIO   METHODISM. 

meetings,  the  men  and  women  were  re([uire(l  to  sit 
apart;  and  there  were  also  sejiarate  classes  for  the 
sexes,  though  some  of  tliem  were  mixed.  A  failure 
to  attend  class  regularly  sul^jected  the  offender  to 
discipline;  and  a  continued  neglect,  except  in  cases 
of  sickness,  resulted  in  expulsion.  In  matters  of  dress 
there  was  great  strictness,  and  the  attire  of  both  men 
and  women  was  severely  plain. 

In  1837  a  brick  church  was  built  on  Ninth  Street, 
between  Race  and  Elm,  and  in  1839  Asbury  Chapel 
was  begun  on  Webster  Street,  between  Main  and 
Sycamore.  Heretofore  this  charge  had  occupied  a 
place  of  worship  north  of  Liberty  Street,  on  what  is 
now  known  as  McMicken  Avenue — a  plain  frame 
structure  which  was  consumed  by  fire.  Until  the  new 
building  on  Webster  Street  was  ready  for  occupancy, 
the  congregation  meanwhile  met  in  one  of  the  halls  of 
W^oodward  High  School. 

Methodism  now  began  to  spread  more  w^idely,  and 
to  multiply  the  number  of  appointments  in  the  city. 
In  1835  the  entire  membership  was  1,575;  two  years 
later,  it  was  1,920.  It  was  during  these  two  years  that 
the  work  began  among  the  German  population.  Will- 
iam Nast  was  the  first  missionary.  Though  the  oppo- 
sition to  him  was  strong  on  the  part  of  his  fellow- 
countrymen,  he  persevered,  and  in  1839  the  Book 
Agents  commenced  the  publication  of  a  German  re- 
ligious paper,  the  Christliche  Apologcte,  which  has  been 
continued  ever  since.  William  Nast  was  its  first  editor, 
and  so  remained  by  successive  re-elections  for  over 
half  a  century.  He  has  lived  to  see  German  Meth- 
odism well  established,  both  in  his  adopted  and  in  his 


METIIOnrSM  IN   CITIES.  343 

native  land,  and  to  be   honored  and   revered  by   the 
entire  Chureh  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantie. 

In  1850  there  were  fourteen  appointments  in  Cin- 
cinnati, with  3,128  members.  Of  these,  tliree  were 
German  Churches,  with  484  mem1)ers.  During  the 
previous  decade,  the  h'ourth  Street  church  was  sold, 
and  in  its  stead  a  lari^er  house  of  worship  was  built  on 
Central  Avenue,  and  called  Morris  Chapel.  Colonies 
from  the  older  congreg-ations  established  Park  Street, 
Christie,  Raper  (on  Elm  Street),  and  York  Street 
churches,  and  later  Bethel,  JMount  Auburn,  Clinton 
Street,  Walnut  Hills,  and  L'nion  Chapel.  This  last 
mentioned  Church  was  the  first  to  introduce  family  or 
promiscuous  sittings.  In  i860,  the  old  Ninth  Street 
church  was  rebuilt,  and  dedicated  as  Trinity  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  In  this  church  many  of  the  pews 
were  rented  to  families,  and  in  the  other  pews  it  was 
not  required  that  the  sexes  should  sit  separately.  This 
w^as  now  the  leading  charge,  and  the  smaller  Churches 
followed  its  example. 

In  1870,  Morris  Chapel  was  replaced  by  St.  Paul 
Church,  built  on  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Smith 
Streets.  It  is  constructed  of  blue  limestone,  and  is  one 
of  the  finest  specimens  of  the  modified  Gothic  archi- 
tecture in  the  city. 

Methodism  has  not  continuously  advanced,  nor 
even  held  its  own.  There  have  been  years  of  declen- 
sion as  well  as  of  increase.  In  a  season  of  great  spir- 
itual dearth,  it  was  felt  by  many  that  something  must 
be  done  for  those  wdiom  the  existing  Churches  did 
not  reach.  In  1853  the  Ladies'  Home  Missionary 
Society  was  organized,  and  procured  the  appointment 


344  OHIO   METHODISM. 

of  a  pastor  from  the  Cincinnati  Conference.  The  prin- 
cipal points  for  preaching-  and  other  services  were 
Mears  Chapel,  on  Plum  Street,  near  Second,  and  on 
Carr  Street.  During  the  eighteen  years  of  its  exist- 
ence, the  society  accomplished  a  good  work.  Souls 
were  saved  and  brought  into  the  Church,  and  the  gos- 
pel was  proclaimed  to  many  who  otherwise  would 
never  have  heard  it.  When  the  society  was  disbanded, 
part  of  the  work  which  it  had  fostered  was  continued 
by  two  or  three  of  the  down-town  Churches,  and  some 
mission  Sunday-schools  were  planted  in  the  outskirts. 
But  no  further  systemized  effort  was  made  to  evan- 
gelize the  city,  until  the  formation  of  the  Cincinnati 
Church  Extension  Society,  which  w^as  chartered  in 
1888.  During  its  first  years  its  efforts  were  directed 
toward  the  extinguishment  of  debts  on  some  of  the 
weaker  Churches,  rather  than  to  the  planting  of  new^ 
ones.  Latterly  it  has  been  operating  five  missions,  in 
wdiich  church  services,  Sunday-schools,  Epworth 
Leagues,  Kindergarten  and  Industrial  Schools,  are 
conducted.  In  its  forward  movement  it  employed  a 
city  missionary  until  last  year,  and  secured  the  use  of  a 
''gospel  wagon,"  with  coach  horses,  harness,  and 
livery,  from  which  to  preach.  It  has  been  a  common 
thing  for  it  to  be  surrounded  by  audiences  of  from 
three  hundred  to  a  thousand  on  the  streets,  attracted 
by  the  music  and  the  voice  of  the  speaker.  At  present 
the  Society  employs  no  missionary,  but  the  gospel- 
meetings  are  regularly  held  at  different  points. 

Kindred  with  this  Society  is  the  order  of  deacon- 
esses, who  are  also  employed  in  charitable  and  Chris- 
tian effort.    They  have  their  home  in  the  building  for- 


MErilODISM  IN  CITIES.  345 

incrly  occnpied  as  the  Wesley  an  Collcp^e  for  yoiini;- 
ladies  on  Wesley  Avenue,  with  which  is  connected  the 
Christ's  Hospital  on  Mount  Auburn.  The  Home  is 
named  in  honor  of  Elizabeth  Gamble,  wife  of  James 
Gaml^le,  who  first  founded  it.  Both  these  benevolent 
institutions  are  supported  by  voluntary  contributions. 
The  German  Methodists  have  also  a  Deaconess  Home 
and  a  hospital  on  the  corner  of  Oak  Street  and  Read- 
ing Road,  in  Avondale. 

The  first  chartered  institution  for  the  education 
of  girls,  with  authority  to  confer  degrees,  was  estab- 
lished in  Cincinnati  in  1842.  Perlee  B.  Wilber  was 
the  first  president,  and  his  wife  preceptress.  It  was 
named  the  ''Methodist  Female  Collegiate  Institute," 
and  subsequently  the  "Cincinnati  Wesleyan  Female 
College."  Only  girls  were  admitted  to  its  classes,  and 
for  fifty  years  it  held  an  honorable  position  among 
our  literary  institutions.  The  lack  of  an  endowment, 
and  a  growing  sentiment  among  our  citizens  in  favor 
of  the  joint  education  of  the  sexes,  the  opening  of  our 
high  schools  and  colleges  to  young  men  and  women 
alike,  and  the  consequent  withdrawal  of  patronage 
from  its  halls,  compelled  it  finally  to  close  its  doors,  in 
1893.  The  school  edifice,  erected  on  the  former  site  of 
the  old  Methodist  burying-ground,  between  Court  and 
Clark  Streets,  is  now  occupied  as  the  Deaconess 
Home. 

Another  institution  of  the  Church  in  Cincinnati  is 
the  Methodist  Social  Union.  It  originally  consisted 
of  representative  men  from  all  the  charges  in  the  cit}', 
and  its  object  was  to  cultivate  fraternal  intercourse 
between  the  Cluirches,  to  discuss  and  determine  ques- 


346  OHIO   METHODISM, 

lions  of  cc^ninioii  interest,  to  promote  the  general  wel- 
fare of  the  nienil)ers  in  their  spiritual  and  fmaneial 
concerns,  and  to  assist  in  establishing  new  missions 
in  neglected  fields.  The  Society  is  now  open  to  any 
member  of  the  Church.  Both  ladies  and  gentlemen 
are  eligible.  Once  a  year,  or  often er  if  deemed  best, 
a  social  banquet  is  held,  to  which  all  are  invited,  the 
admission  fee  being  usually  one  dollar.  The  influence 
of  this  Social  Union  is  already  felt  in  a  more  intelligent 
appreciation  of  our  Church  needs,  and  a  readier  dis- 
position to  meet  them.  S.  W.  Williams. 

METHODISM  IN  CLEVELAND. 

One  hundred  years  ago,  in  this  lake  region,  the 
gospel  was  heard,  occasionally  in  groves  and  in  set- 
tlers' cabins.  Each  branch  of  Protestantism  is  older 
in  the  suburbs  than  in  the  city  proper.  The  pioneers 
of  1 796-18 1 8  finding  Cleveland  harbor  at  the  foot  of 
huge  sand-hills,  blown  by  lake  winds,  pushed  for  their 
first  settlement  further  back,  where  fruit  would  grow, 
and  for  milling  privileges;  hence  Brooklyn  and  New- 
burg  came  into  prominence.  These  and  several  other 
remote  centers  are  all  now  included  in  Greater  Cleve- 
land. 

History  develops  that  a  gentleman  residing  in  an 
eastern  city,  and  owning  real  estate  in  Cleveland,  de- 
sirous of  seeing  our  denomination  established  at  the 
same  time,  sent  to  a  person  living  in  the  place  a  deed 
of  the  lot  corner  of  Ontario  and  Rockw^ell  Streets  for 
a  Methodist  meeting-house;  but  no  one  being  found 
to  pay  the  recorder's  fee,  the  deed  was  returned  to  the 
donor. 


MF/nron/sAf  in  cities.  347 

All  of  Cleveland  l\ini4'  east  of  the  Cuyaho,c^a  River 
frcjin  i/i^S  to  1836  bel(jnge(l  successively  to  Baltimore, 
(  )hio,  and  ]Mttsbur<^'  Conferences.  The  j^resent  West 
Side  wards,  known  then  as  Brooklyn,  a  ])art  of  which 
later  was  called  Ohio  City,  from  1824  to  1836  were  al- 
lotted to  Michii^an  Conference,  and  from  1836  to  1840 
to  Erie  Conference. 

Jacob  Ward  came  to  r>runs\vick,  Medina  County, 
from  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  in  1816.  He  was  a 
local  preacher  of  means,  doing  excellent  work  at  home 
and  throui^hout  the  surrounding  country.  He  organ- 
ized a  class  of  thirteen  persons  at  Brunswick,  in  April, 
1817.  In  1818,  James  B.  Finley  being  presiding  elder 
of  Ohio  District,  either  Jacob  Ward  or  a  circuit-rider 
drew  up  to  a  log  farmhouse  built  on  a  quarter  section 
in  Brooklyn,  saying  that  he  was  looking  up  the  lost 
sheep.  He  gathered  a  class  of  eight  members:  four 
of  them  named  "Fish,"  the  other  half  '^Brainard." 

This,  then,  is  Cleveland's  first  Methodist  society, 
dating  back  to  18 18,  out  of  which  have  come  the  pres- 
ent Brooklyn  ^lemorial  Church  and  the  new  beautiful 
Pearl  Street  Church,  South  Brooklyn.  It  is  quite 
certain  that  the  gospel  was  heard  in  18 18  in  New- 
burg,  at  a  camp-meeting  held  there;  but  of  this  no 
records  remain.  In  August  of  that  year  Cuyahoga 
Circuit  was  formed.  In  1819  the  Rev.  William 
Swayze  succeeded  to  Ohio  District.  Thorough  re- 
search proves  that  in  1821  a  class  was  formed  at  Eu- 
clid Creek,  numbering  at  least  ten  persons.  In  1823, 
Cleveland  was  a  remote  and  insignificant  point  upon 
Hudson  Circuit,  in  Portland  District;  embracing  in 
one  round  six  hundred  miles  of  travel,  and  fortv-two 


348  OHIO   METHODISM. 

appointments  grandly  undertaken  by  Ira  Eddy.  In 
1822,  Grace  Johnson,  wife  of  a  lake  captain,  sowed 
the  seed  of  Methodism  in  this  reluctant  soil. 

The  beg'innini;'  of  organized  work  in  this  city  was 
at  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Job  Sizer,  a  local  preacher, 
and  liis  sister  Abigail,  who  came  here  in  1826  from 
JhifTalo,  New  York.  In  1827,  in  this  hospitable  home, 
the  Rev.  John  Crawford,  circuit  preacher,  formed  the 
earliest  Methodist  class  of  Cleveland,  composed  of 
seven  persons — the  host  and  hostess,  Grace  Johnson, 
Lucy  Knowlton,  Elizabeth  Southworth,  Andrew  Tom- 
linson,  appointed  leader,  and  his  sister,  Eliza  Worley. 
To  these  must  be  added  Elijah  Peet  and  wife — resi- 
dent in  Newburg — who  joined  a  little  later.  These 
original  nine  set  up  our  standard  here,  rallying  forces 
and  leading  the  infant  Church  to  aggressive  work. 
Immortal  names  are  they,  enshrined  in  our  hearts  as 
the  founders  of  the  Eirst  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Cleveland. 

John  Crawford  organized  another  class  in  1827, 
enrolling  fourteen  persons  at  "Hubbard's,"  on  Kins- 
man Street,  that  being  a  central  point  for  members 
residing  at  either  extreme  of  the  settlement.  Those 
at  Doan's  Corners  traveled  thither  up  the  present  Elast 
Madison  Avenue,  over  an  Indian  footpath.  "Hub- 
bard's" is  the  initiative  of  our  Kinsman  Street  Church 
of  to-day.  A  class  was  permanently  formed  at  Doan's 
Corners  in  183 1  by  the  Rev.  Milton  Colt,  who  organ- 
ized also  the  first  Methodist  Sunday-school  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Cleveland,  in  a  building  knowm  as  the  Infant 
school-room  on  the  west  side  of  Academy  Lane,  half- 
way from  St.  Clair  to  Lake  Street.    In  January,  1832, 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  349 

through  the  agency  of  Lyman  Ferris,  removed  here 
from  A'ermont,  a  class  of  seven  persons  was  formed 
by  the  Rev.  Dennis  Goddard,  circuit  preacher  at  Xew- 
burg.  This  "little  one"  became  the  present  Miles 
Park  Church. 

As  this  chronicle  mentions  Churches  in  the  order 
of  their  founding,  we  glance  now  west  of  the  Cuya- 
hoga River.  ''Old  Hanover  Street"  first  saw  the  light 
in  1833,  at  a  private  house — Mother  Burton's,  on 
Pearl  Street.  Two  families  and  Miss  Bessie  Sessions 
voluntarily  formed  a  nucleus,  the  first  sermon  being 
preached  by  the  Rev.  Daniel  M.  Conant  in  Mr.  Warm- 
ington's  house  on  Detroit  Street.  For  the  three  suc- 
ceeding years,  1834-37,  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Ohio  City  was  a  part  of  Brunswick  Circuit. 
Until  1837  services  were  held,  alternating  with  the 
Universalists,  in  a  small  brick  schoolhouse  on  Ver- 
mont Street,  used  for  a  long  time  as  the  Eighth  Ward 
voting-place,  and  still  standing. 

Let  us  for  a  moment  trace  the  fortunes  of  the  ear- 
liest class  of  1827.  The  Western  Reserve,  pioneered 
by  New  Englanders,  seemed  unadapted  to  the  rapid 
spread  of  the  doctrines  of  our  Church.  Puritanical 
by  inheritance,  the  early  settlers  held  rigidly  to  Cal- 
vinism, or  its  reacting  effect — infidelity;  hence  the 
struggle  for  the  entrance  of  free  grace  and  free  salva- 
tion on  the  part  of  our  courageous  local  preachers, 
presiding  elders,  and  circuit  riders.  Our  little  band 
worshiped  from  1827  in  cabins,  lofts,  in  ^Masonic  Hall, 
the  attic  floor  of  a  large  building  on  Bank  Street,  and 
in  the  "Academy,"  St.  Clair  Street.  Lender  the  leader- 
ship of  the  Rev.  Francis  A.  Dighton,  in  1836,  the  trus- 


350  OHIO   METHODISM. 

tees  secured  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  St.  Clair  and  Wood 
Streets,  quite  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  in  the  midst 
of  oak  and  hazel  bushes,  flanked  by  a  vast  quagmire 
on  the  east.  Very  slow  progress  was  made  in  church 
building.  At  the  close  of  1836  the  enterprise  was 
begun,  and  basement  walls  carried  to  the  surface.  The 
society  was  incorporated  in  1839,  inider  title  of  the 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Meantime  a  dis- 
sension and  anti-slavery  secession  depleted  the  mem- 
bership. Real  estate  collapsed  in  the  crash  of  1837. 
vSpirits  less  brave  than  inspired  this  noble  remnant 
might  have  been  disheartened.  In  1840,  under  the 
Rev.  Arthur  M.  Brown,  the  trustees  reorganized. 
These  Spartans  resolved  t(3  complete  the  audience- 
room  of  the  building.  In  this  connection  they  pro- 
jected a  small  frame  dwelling  on  Wood  Street  as  a 
parsonage.  Tliis  forward  step  brought  a  debt  of  six 
thousand  dollars.  Not  until  April,  1841,  was  the  upper 
part  finished  and  dedicated.  An  early  service  in  it  was 
a  memorial  for  President  William   Henry  Harrison. 

August  3,  1842,  the  first  Methodist  Conference 
ever  held  in  this  part  of  the  State  convened  in  the  new 
St.  Clair  Street  Church.  Bishop  Morris  presided,  and 
ninety  members  responded  to  roll-call. 

Never  struggled  a  denomination  more  fiercely  with 
adversity.  During  this  year  a  supreme  moment  was 
reached  in  our  history.  The  Rev.  L.  D.  Mix,  newly- 
appointed  pastor,  went  throughout  the  Western  Re- 
serve and  to  New  York,  raising  funds  to  help  pay  the 
debt.  In  1857  another  crisis  came;  but  the  Rev.  Moses 
Hill,  D.  D.,  in  a  most  successful  pastorate,  renovated 
the  building  (corner  St.  Clair  and  Wood  Streets),  and 


METHODISM   IN   CITIES.  35  I 

after  the  great  revival  eanccled  the  seven-thousaiul- 
(lollar  mortgage.  The  foundation  of  the  main  build- 
ing, corner  Euclid  Avenue  and  Erie  Street,  was  laid 
October  14,  1871.  The  chapel^  on  Erie  Street,  was 
completed  in  1868.  The  people  occupied  the  chapel  as 
a  house  of  worship  until  the  dedication  of  the  beau- 
tiful temple,  with  its  spacious  auditorium,  perfect  gal- 
leries, and  choir-loft,  great  organ,  superl)  fresco,  ca- 
thedral memorial  windows,  and  comfortable  seating. 
Bishop  Randolph  S.  Foster  officiated  on  December 
13,  1874.  The  mistake  has  not  been  made  of  retiring 
the  mother  of  us  all.  In  this  centennial  year  of  Ohio 
Methodism  she  is  alert  and  vigorous;  a  successful 
down-town  Church,  with  grown  children,  infant  mis- 
sions, deaconess  work,  and  a  controlling  interest  in 
the  Detroit  Street  Industrial  Home  for  Children 
evolved  from  the  famous  First  Church  Ragged  School. 
The  earliest  pastor  at  Doan's  Corners  was  the  Rev. 
Milton  Colt.  The  primitive  class  formed  there  in  183 1, 
numbering  nineteen  members,  met  in  the  old  stone 
schoolhouse  on  Doan  Street.  Its  first  church-building 
was  in  1837,  located  on  the  same  street.  In  1866,  the 
brick  church  was  begun;  completed  in  1870;  torn 
down  in  1885.  The  mustard-seed  of  beginning  at  these 
''Corners"  has  developed  into  the  blossom  and  fruitage 
of  the  present  Euclid  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  located  in  the  heart  of  the  East  End ;  an  ele- 
gant stone  edifice,  in  every  way  modern;  dedicated  in 
1887  by  Chancellor  Sims,  of  Syracuse  University.  A 
commodious  Sabbath-school  annex  was  consecrated 
February  20,  1898.  Let  us  look  after  the  afifectionate 
planting  on  Pearl  Street  of  the  West  Side,  or  Ohio 


352  OHIO   METHODISM. 

City  society.  December  15,  1834,  a  lot  was  purchased, 
corner  of  Hanover  and  Church  Streets;  June  30,  1836, 
a  brick  edifice  was  begun.  In  November,  the  walls 
were  reared  for  the  roof.  A  terrible  storm  blew  them 
down.  Despair  seized  upon  the  little  band,  including 
Ambrose  Anthony  and  Diodate  Clark.  The  City 
Council  offered  them  a  room  in  Columbus  Block, 
which  was  accepted.  The  Columbus  Block  burned. 
The  struggling  Church  was  sent  back  to  the  school- 
house.  In  November,  1838,  it  occupied  the  basement 
on  Hanover  Street. 

We  have  now  progressed  sufficiently  in  this  history 
to  state  distinctly  which  are  the  original  or  mother 
Churches  of  Methodism  in  Cleveland.  They  are  six, 
and  were  named  in  the  order  of  their  founding. 
Brooklyn  Memorial,  Kinsman  Street,  Euclid  Avenue, 
Miles  Park,  and  Hanover  Street.  In  1840,  by  a  re- 
vision of  boundaries,  the  North  Ohio  Conference  was 
formed,  and  that  portion  lying  wxst  of  the  river  boun- 
dary was  included  in  it.  A  moment,  now,  in  that 
North  Ohio  Conference  section  of  the  city.  In  1848, 
the  Hanover  Street  society  moved  into  its  audience- 
room,  remaining  there  until  in  December,  1869,  when 
it  was  merged  into  the  Franklin  Avenue  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  dedicated  by  Bishop  Matthew^ 
Simpson,  January  30,  1870.  This  is  a  strong  center, 
taking  high  rank  among  city  Churches  of  all  denomi- 
nations. Her  children  are  Garden  Avenue,  built  as 
Bridge  Street  in  1855,  as  Taylor  Street  in  1869;  in  her 
present  form,  1898.  The  youngest  child  of  Franklin 
Avenue  is  Trinity,  dedicated  in  December,  1894. 

Another  powerful  agency  under  the   Rev.  A.   E. 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  353 

Winter  for  the  evangelization  of  an  extended  and  pop- 
ulous network  of  highways  and  byways  is  Lorain 
Street,  formerly  Clark  Mission.  This  was  formed 
under  the  direction  of  the  City  Methodist  Missionary 
Society  of  1867.  Through  the  liberality  of  Mrs.  Dio- 
date  Clark,  the  ability  of  John  Parkins,  and  the  labors 
of  the  Rev.  Hugh  L.  Parrish,  the  effort  matured  in 
1868. 

Mention  is  here  made  of  two  important  West  Side 
Missions:  '^Simpson,"  meeting  now  in  a  hall  on  Min- 
ton  Street,  just  off  Lorain,  and  the  West  End  Mission, 
now  negotiating  for  a  lot,  which  will  at  once  build  a 
chapel  on  Detroit  Street,  corner  of  Winchester  Ave- 
nue. On  the  South  Side,  North  Ohio  Conference,  is 
Jennings  Avenue,  formerly  Pelton  Avenue,  estab- 
lished in  1871. 

German  Methodism  is  highly  valued.  The  earliest 
missionary  appointed  here  was  the  Rev.  H.  Buhre,  in 
1845.  Progress  was  slow.  The  Rev.  C.  Helwig 
formed  a  class  in  1847.  After  years  of  struggle,  we 
have  the  First  German  Church,  corner  Scovill  and 
Sterling  Avenues,  rebuilt  and  dedicated  in  1893. 
Faithful  labor  on  the  West  Side  organized  and  built 
in  1852.  This  property  was  sold,  and  an  eligible  site 
procured  corner  of  Bridge  and  Harbor  Streets,  and 
St.  Paul's  Church  erected.  The  Central  German  Con- 
ference convened  here  in  1894.  Immanuel  on  the 
East  Side,  and  Bethany  on  the  West,  are  full  of 
promise. 

By  a  revision  of  boundaries  in  1876,  the  East  Ohio 
Conference   w^as   formed,    with   jurisdiction    over   the 
East  Side  Churches,  so  that  we  now  cross  the  viaduct 
23 


354  OHIO  METHODISM. 

from  the  West  Side  to  resume.  Willson  Avenue,  corner 
of  Luther  Street^  was  begun  as  a  mission  in  1857,  on 
St.  Clair  Street,  near  Perry,  presumably  by  the  Rev. 
Dillon  Prosser,  who  originated  several  societies.  In 
the  early  sixties,  by  removal,  this  became  Waring 
Street;  by  another  transition,  the  Superior  Street  Tab- 
ernacle. Since  1893  it  has  been  located  in  a  delightful 
residence  portion  of  the  city,  in  a  substantial  gray 
stone  structure  with  modern  facilities. 

Scovill  Avenue  Church,  built  and  furnished  largely 
through  the  liberality  of  Messrs.  Horace  Wilkins  and 
John  N.  Glidden,  was  founded  in  1866. 

Woodland  Avenue,  a  mission  of  Scovill  Avenue, 
comfortably  housed  in  1870,  is  now  in  a  fine  new 
building,  dedicated  December  8,  1895. 

Erie  Street  Church  was  colonized  from  old  St. 
Clair  in  1850.  By  removal  to  Corner  of  Prospect  and 
Huntington  Streets,  it  became  Christ  Church  in  1875. 
In  1883,  combined  with  Cottage  Mission,  corner  of 
Willson  Avenue  and  Prospect  Street,  it  was  known 
as  Central  Church.  Out  of  this  has  come  Epworth 
Memorial  Church,  so  named  because  it  commemorates 
the  unification  of  our  five  young  peoples'  associations 
throughout  the  world  into  the  Epworth  League.  This 
consolidation  was  effected  in  the  old  building  situated 
on  the  site  of  the  present  new  one,  at  the  Convention 
of  delegates  from  the  various  societies  for  the  young 
on  May  14,  1889.  The  architectural  synmictry  and 
exquisite  arrangement  make  this  sanctuary  celebrated. 
It  is  of  marble,  a  gem  of  art;  Norman,  bordering  on 
modernized  Romanesque,  lofty  gable  with  combina- 
tion interior,  groined  arches  converging  in  a  magnifi- 


METIIODIS\VT  IN  CITIES.  355 

cent  dome.  In  the  auditorium  is  placed  a  fine  large 
memorial  window  in  shape  of  the  "Epworth  Wheel," 
with  divisions  for  departments  of  work,  symbolized 
by  appropriate  Scri])ture  texts  and  illustrations.  The 
Rev.  B.  F.  Dimmick,  D.  D.,  led  the  building  enter- 
prise; S.  R.  Badgley,  architect.  The  "Feast  of  Dedi- 
cation" in  1893  was  unicjue,  lasting  eight  days;  from 
May  13th  to  2 1st  inclusive.  Its  program  was  en- 
riched by  the  utterances  of  Bishops  Fowler,  Warren, 
Ninde,  and  of  Dr.  Potts,  of  Toronto,  Ontario.  Sacred 
concerts  enlivened  the  exercises.  This  Zion  has  a  con- 
stantly growing  membership,  is  a  source  of  usefulness 
and  power,  finely  equipped  and  adapted  to  a  residence 
section. 

In  1886  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  Sun- 
day-school Alliance  was  organized.  To  the  presidency 
of  this  Alliance,  Mr.  Wilson  M.  Day  was  elected  ten 
years  in  succession.  This  combination  of  forces  did 
a  great  work  in  saving  Broadway  and  Asbury  to  the 
common  cause.  In  1890,  largely  through  the  efforts 
of  the  Alliance,  all  the  debts  of  the  Methodist  Churches 
in  Cleveland  were  pooled  and  paid. 

Cleveland  Methodism  lias  thirty-tliree  Churches 
and  Missions,  and  eight  thousand  and  fifty-two  com- 
municants. The  total  value  of  Church  and  parsonage 
property,  including  the  Deaconess  Home,  is  $822,- 
880.  Each  outlying  hamlet  has  its  own  conunodious 
house  of  worship.  These  are  Fairmount,  (ilcnville, 
T^kewood,  Rocky  River,  and  South  Brooklyn. 

Mary  Bigelow  Ingham. 


356  Oj       -    METHODISM. 

METHODISM  IN  COLUMBUS. 

Columbus  was  laid  out  in  1812,  and  became  the 
seat  of  the  Slate  Government  in  1816.  Between  these 
two  dates  Methodism  began  its  existence  in  the  Cap- 
ital City. 

A  zealous  layman,  by  name  of  George  McCormick, 
had  the  honor  to  secure  the  first  Methodist  preach- 
ing in  Columbus.  He  was  a  carpenter,  and  a  co- 
builder  of  the  first  State-house.  He  induced  the  Rev. 
Samuel  West  to  come  and  preach  in  the  people's 
homes,  and  on  December  20,  18 13,  Mr.  West  organ- 
ized the  first  society,  consisting  of  four  members,  who 
were  soon  joined  by  a  fifth,  a  colored  man  by  the  name 
of  Moses  Freeman,  who  afterward  became  a  mission- 
ary to  Liberia. 

This  society  was  first  known  as  "Zion  Alethodist 
Episcopal  Church."  It  was  on  Town  Street,  where 
the  Public  School  Librar)'  now  stands.  It  was  a  log 
structure,  costing  $i57.53>2.  For  some  years  it  was 
also  used  as  a  schoolhouse. 

This  building  was  followed  by  a  brick  structure 
on  the  same  spot  in  1826,  and  that  one  by  a  third 
church  in  1853.  The  name  was  then  changed  to 
'Town  Street,"  which  title  is  perpetuated  in  its  suc- 
cessor of  the  present  time.  The  third  building  was 
sold  to  the  city  in  1890,  and  the  society  emigrated 
eastward,  to  the  corner  of  Town  and  Eighteenth 
Streets,  where  they  have  a  beautiful  chapel  in  a  fine 
residence  section. 

Wesley  Chapel  was  the  first  offshoot  from  Town 
Street,  and  was  organized  under  the  pastorate  of  Gran- 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  357 

ville  Moody  in  the  latter  Church,  in  1846.  It  began 
with  about  two  hundred  members,  and  grew  to  be 
stronger  than  its  mother  in  the  following  years.  The 
building  burned  in  Alay,  1883.  The  lot  was  then  sold 
for  the  sum  of  $62,500,  and  the  society  rebuilt  on  the 
corner  of  l>road  and  Fourtli  Streets  a  church  which 
cost  $60,000. 

Third  Street  ( "hurch  was  the  second  offspring  of 
Tow-n  Street,  and  was  dedicated  as  "Bigelow  Chapel," 
by  Bishop  Morris,  July  15,  1854.  It  stood  on  Main 
Street,  between  Third  and  Fourth  Streets.  This  prop- 
erty was  traded  in  1859  to  the  Presbyterians  for  their 
church  on  Third  Street,  near  the  corner  of  Main,  our 
people  paying  them  v$5,ooo  in  addition.  Here  the  so- 
ciety had  a  pleasant  home,  and  built  an  excellent  par- 
sonage adjoining.  They  had  just  completed  the  pay- 
ment for  all  when  the  church  burned,  on  November 
15,  1869.  They  rallied,  however,  heroically,  and  re- 
built on  the  same  site,  where  they  remain  in  a  pros- 
perous condition.  The  name  of  the  Church  was 
changed  from  "Bigelow  Chapel"  to  "Third  Street," 
in  1875. 

Gift  wStreet  Church  is  the  outgrowth  of  Franklinton 
Mission,  which  was  part  of  a  circuit  as  far  back  as 
1840.  The  first  preaching  wt.s  in  a  private  house,  and 
then  for  years  in  the  old  court-house,  after  it  was  con- 
verted into  a  schoolhouse.  In  1856,  "Heath  Chapel" 
was  built,  and  named  after  Uriah  Heath,  the  presiding 
elder.  It  stood  near  the  southeast  corner  of  Broad 
and  Mill  Streets,  and  served  a  good  purpose  till  fol- 
lowed by  its  successor,  "Gift  Street  Church,"  in  1890, 
on  the  corner  of  Gift  and  Shepherd  Streets.     The  old 


358  OHIO   METHODISM. 

society  was  always  few  in  numbers,  and  weak  finan- 
cially; the  new  Church  is  vii^orous  and  growing^. 

The  first  Third  Avenue  Church  was  dedicated  in 
January,  1869.  Its  organization  had  been  preceded 
by  a  mission  Sunday-school  some  two  years.  The 
first  structure  was  a  small  frame  ])uil(lin,c:,  which  was 
twice  enlarged  as  the  society  grew.  The  present  edi- 
fice was  built  in  1884,  at  a  cost  of  $35,000.  This 
Church  has  been  prosperous  from  the  first,  and  has 
given  off  two  colonies,  besides  numbering  yet  nine 
hundred  members. 

Neil  Avenue  is  the  successor  to  Neil  Chapel.  The 
latter  was  built  in  1872,  on  the  corner  of  Michigan 
Avenue  and  Columbus  Street.  The  society  began  with 
much  promise;  but  the  location  in  the  end  proved  un- 
fortunate, and  in  1891  the  church  was  rebuilt  on  the 
corner  of  Neil  Avenue  and  Goodale  Street,  and  was 
given  its  present  name.  The  chapel  is  a  pretty  struc- 
ture, and  the  organization  is  growing  stronger  every 
year. 

Broad  Street  Church  was  organized  as  a  society 
at  the  dedication  of  its  first  building,  July  18,  1875. 
Ninety  persons,  mainly  from  Wesley  Chapel,  that  day 
became  its  members.  After  ten  years  of  unprece- 
dented prosperity,  the  society  dedicated  their  second 
church,  a  stately  green-stone  building,  July  5,  1885. 
Tt  cost  $70,000.  This  is  the  strongest  Methodist 
Church  in  Columbus,  and  one  of  the  strongest  in  the 
State.  It  has  a  membership  of  about  one -thousand, 
and  gives  princely  sums  to  benevolences. 

North  Columbus  Church  was  dedicated  in  Janu- 
ary, i88t.     The  society  was  organized  largely  out  of 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  359 

the  nienibcrship  of  Clint(Mivillc  Church,  which  it  super- 
seded. It  remained  a  part  of  a  circuit  till  1889,  when 
it  was  set  off  as  a  station.  Its  autonomy  gave  it  new 
life,  and  since  then  it  has  grown  rapidly.  The  present 
new  church  was  dedicated  jNIarch  8,  1896,  at  a  cost 
of  $13,000.  It  is  a  beautiful  building,  and  a  marvel 
of  capacity,  convenience,  and  durability  for  that  cost. 
It  is  a  credit  to  ^Methodism,  and  will  serve  that  part  of 
the  city  for  a  generation  to  come. 

Mt.  Vernon  Avenue  Church  was  organized  in  1883, 
and  the  first  building  was  dedicated  in  September, 
1884.  That  was  a  notable  year  for  church-building 
in  Columbus.  Wesley  Chapel,  Broad  Street,  Third 
Avenue,  and  Mt.  Vernon  Avenue  were  all  begun  that 
year.  The  last-named  continued  to  worship  on  in 
their  frame  structure  till  1894,  when  they  erected  their 
present  fine  and  commodious  brick  building.  The 
society  here  is  strong  numerically  and  spiritually. 

Miller  Avenue  Church  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  union 
Sunday-school,  which  was  organized  there  in  1880. 
In  1887,  the  property  was  deeded  to  the  Methodists, 
and  that  fall  a  pastor  w^as  appointed  by  the  Conference, 
who,  with  the  presiding  elder's  help,  soon  gathered  a 
membership  of  seventy-five.  Its  little  frame  building 
has  since  been  enlarged,  and  the  society  has  had  a 
reasonable  growth,  but  it  needs  both  a  new  location 
and  a  new  church. 

Cleveland  Avenue  Church  is  the  new  name  borne 
for  several  years  by  the  former  Shoemaker  Chapel. 
It  is  a  brick  structure  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  city, 
and  was  built  by  the  local  Church  Extension  Society 
in  1889.    The  valuable  lot  was  donated  bv  Mrs.  Sarah 


360  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Shoemaker.  The  society  remained  under  the  direction 
of  Third  Avenue  Churcli  till  1892. 

King  Avenue  Church  began  as  a  mission  Sunday- 
school,  held  in  a  hall  above  a  bakery,  in  1888.  In  the 
summer  of  1889  it  was  organized  into  a  Church,  with 
seventeen  members.  A  pastor  was  appointed  at  the 
Conference  following,  and  their  new  church  was  dedi- 
cated December  22,  1889.  The  society  now  numbers 
three  hundred  and  fifty,  and  it  will,  in  a  few  years,  be 
the  second  strongest  of  our  Methodist  Churches  of 
Columbus. 

South  High  Street  Church  began  as  a  Sunday- 
school  in  about  the  year  1885,  and  was  organized  into 
a  Church  in  1892.  It  has  since  that  time  sustained  a 
pastor,  gained  gradually  in  strength,  and  has  a  fine 
prospect  for  the  future. 

Glenwood  Heights  Church  began  as  a  mission  in 
a  schoolhouse  in  1892.  and  was  organized  into  a 
Church  in  1893.  They  built  a  frame  chapel,  which 
was  dedicated  in  November,  1895.  This  Church  is 
near  West  Broad  Street,  and  south  of  the  State  Hos- 
pital for  Insane. 

Oakwood  Chapel  is  in  the  southeast  part  of  the 
city,  and  was  dedicated  in  December,  1895.  It  has 
good  prospects. 

A  society,  known  as  West  Broad  Street  Church, 
was  organized  in  September,  1895,  and  a  pastor  was 
appointed  at  the  Conference  following.  Their  mem- 
bership is  near  one  hundred,  worshiping  at  present  in 
a  hall. 

Fifth  Avenue  Church  is  a  little  chapel,  a  mile  west 
of  the  city,  but  is  numbered  with  Columbus  appoint- 


METiionisM  IN  ciriES.  361 

ments.  It  was  organized  in  1894,  and  has  about  sev- 
enty-five members. 

Besides  the  above-named  Chnrclies,  tliere  are  two 
prosperous  German  Aletliodist  Churches,  and  one  col- 
ored Methcxhst  Chtu'ch,  and  a  strong  African  Meth- 
odist Church. 

In  i860,  Methodism  had  555  Sunday-school  schol- 
ars in  the  city;  the  number  was  1,259  i"  1870;  2,197 
in  1880,  and  4,585  in  1890.  The  population  of  the  city 
is  now  130,000,  and  our  Methodist  membership  is 
al)out  7,500.  Joiix  Collins  Jackson. 

METHODISM  IN  DAYTON. 

In  1798  the  Rev.  John  Kobler,  who  was  the  pio- 
neer preacher  of  the  great  Territory  of  the  Northwest, 
and  wdio  had  kneeled  in  the  bushes  and  wrestled  with 
God  for  this  vast  stretch  of  country  to  be  given  to 
Methodism,  came  to  Dayton,  a  village  of  six  or  eight 
cabins,  and  perhaps  eight  or  ten  families,  at  the  mouth 
of  Mad  River,  and  preached  the  first  Methodist  ser- 
mon. In  1808,  Rev.  John  Collins  was  appointed  to  Deer 
Creek  Circuit,  in  traversing  which  he  passed  through 
the  village  and  preached  twice  at  the  court-house, 
where  a  preacher  of  another  denomination  assumed 
proprietorship,  and  tried  to  crowd  him  out.  But  a 
brother  in  the  congregation  offered  an  unfinished 
house,  which  was  seated  at  small  cost,  and  the 
third  sermon  had  the  charm  of  none  to  dispute  the 
right  of  way.  The  room  was  at  once  thronged  with  a 
band  of  eager  worshipers,  and  the  interest  was  so 
great  as  to  warrant  immediate  steps  for  building  a 
place  of  worship. 


362  OHIO   METJI()/)/S.}f. 

Mr.  Cooper,  the  principal  proprietor  of  the  town, 
donated  a  lot  on  Third  Street  for  the  site  of  the 
church,  and  made  a  liberal  subscription  in  money,  and 
also  donated  another  lot  to  the  enterprise.  Other  sub- 
scriptions were  promptly  secured,  and  that  same  year 
the  ''Little  Red  Frame,"  which  was  succeeded  by  a 
commodious  brick — Wesley  Chapel — built  on  the  site 
of  its  predecessor  in  1828.  This  is  familiarly  referred 
to  as  the  ''Mother  Church."  In  1870  the  congregation 
had  so  grown  as  to  make  another  and  still  more  com- 
modious building  necessary.  This  necessity  was  met 
by  the  erection  of  the  present  handsome  stone  build- 
ing on  Fourth  and  Ludlow,  Grace  Church. 

In  1843  the  first  colony  went  out  from  the  mother 
Church,  and  built  Finley  Chapel,  named  in  honor  of 
Rev.  J.  B.  Finley,  who  was  at  the  time  presiding  elder. 
It  was  a  frame  which  would  seat  two  or  three  hun- 
dred, and  was  located  on  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Jack- 
son. It  was  greatly  blessed  of  God,  and  multiplied  so 
rapidly  that  in  a  few  years  the  old  frame  was  sold  to 
the  German  Lutherans,  and  a  commodious  brick  was 
built  in  its  stead.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  Mr.  Finley 
favored  the  independent  and  somewhat  erratic  move- 
ment of  Union  Chapel,  Cincinnati,  a  majority  were 
opposed  to  the  new  Church  inheriting  the  old  name, 
so  the  new  Church  was  named  '^Raper,"  after  the  pre- 
siding elder  who  was  then  serving  the  district.  This 
has  been  one  of  the  most  prosperous  Churches  of  the 
Conference. 

In  1856,  Davisson  Chapel  was  built  on  Fourth 
and  Broadway,  by  the  energy  of  Rev.  Daniel  D. 
Davisson,  who  gave  the  lots  for  the  church  and  par- 


MiynionisM  /.v  cities.  363 

soiiage,  and  also  mack'  a  liberal  donatiun  in  cash. 
Others  responded  ncjbly,  and  the  Chnrcli  was  planted. 
It  had  varying  success  until,  in  the  providence  of  God, 
that  aggressive  evangelist,  Rev.  S.  D.  Clayton,  became 
the  pastor.  A  great  revival,  which  swept  all  that  por- 
tion of  the  city,  ensued,  and  the  outcome  w^as  the 
]>resent  beautiful  Broadway  Church,  which  was  begun 
in  February,  1885,  and  dedicated  in  Alay,  1886.  It 
cost  $10,600,  with  a  parsonage  adjoining,  which  cost 
$1,500.  It  has  a  membership  of  825,  and  a  Sunday- 
school  of  500,  and  has  also  a  mission  Sunday-school 
of  eighty  not  far  from  the  National  Military  Home, 
which  promises  to  develop  into  a  Church. 

In  1883  the  St.  Paul  Church  went  out  as  a  colony 
from  Raper,  two  smaller  charges  were  dissolved,  and 
the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  their  properties  went  into 
the  new  church,  with  the  majority  of  the  members. 
St.  Paul  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  brick  churches 
of  the  city,  w^ith  great  congregations  and  a  member- 
ship of  650,  and  500  in  the  Sunday-school. 

Trinity  Church  was  organized  in  1882.  The  con- 
gregation at  first  occupied  a  small  frame  building,  but 
in  '  1888  they  laid  the  corner-stone  of  a  new  brick 
church,  which  was  completed  the  same  year.  The 
l)uilding  is  a  beautiful  one,  and  the  location  in  the 
midst  of  a  class  of  artisans,  to  whom  it  furnishes  facili- 
ties for  a  desirable  Church  home.  There  is  a  member- 
ship of  256,  and  a  Sunday-school  of  250. 

Homestead  and  Riverdale  is  the  name  of  the  latest 
charge  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  There 
are  two  societies.  One  in  the  southwestern,  and  the 
other  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  city.    The  society 


364  OHIO   METHODISM. 

on  Homestead  Avenue  is  \vorslii])in^-  in  a  small  frame. 
Riverdale  is  worshiping  in  a  hall,  but  owns  two  lots  in 
a  desirable  locality,  and  has  also  a  considerable  fund 
towards  building.  They  expect  to  build  a  tasteful 
brick  church  within  the  next  year  or  two. 

The  German  Methodist  Church  was  organized  in 
1840,  by  the  Rev.  E.  Riemenschneider,  of  what  was 
then  the  Ohio  Conference.  It  was  first  located  on  Sixth 
and  Jackson,  but  now  has  a  substantial  brick  church 
on  Clay  and  Van  Buren  Streets,  which  was  built  when 
Dr.  Rothweiler  was  the  presiding  elder.  The  property 
is  worth  $20,000,  with  a  parsonage  adjoining  valued 
at  $3,200.  It  has  a  membership  of  170,  and  a  Sunday- 
school  of  125. 

The  McKinley  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
the  Lexington  Conference,  on  South  Hawthorn  Street, 
was  organized  in  1889  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Paine,  with 
thirteen  members,  who  worshiped  in  a  little  frame, 
40  by  20  feet.  During  the  past  year  it  has  built  a  very 
neat  frame,  which  will  seat  three  hundred. 

W.  A.  Robinson. 

METHODISM   IN  DELAWARE. 

The  history  of  church  planting  in  Delaware  is  a 
very  interesting  one.  Closely  following  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  township  in  1808,  the  Presbyterian  Church 
formed,  in  18 10,  the  first  Christian  community.  Later, 
in  18 1 7,  the  standard  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  was  planted.  Into  this  goodly  soil,  already 
broken,  Methodism,  in  1819,  took  root,  thus  making 
Methodism  in  Delaware  a  growth  of  about  eight 
decades. 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  365 

Rev.  Jacob  Hooper,  of  Hockhocking  Circuit,  Sci- 
oto District,  Ohio  Conference,  was  the  instrument 
chosen  by  Divine  Providence  for  this  important  under- 
taking. From  data  as  rehable  as  can  be  found,  he 
organized  in  this  year  a  class  of  seventeen  members. 
The  first  church  c(hfice  was  dedicated  in  1824,  under 
the  name  of  Wilham  Street  Church,  by  Jacob  Young, 
presiding  elder  of  SciotO'  District,  Ohio  Conference. 
In  1845,  3.  rapidly  increasing  membcrsliip  and  the 
requirements  of  the  newly-established  Ohio  Wesleyan 
University,  made  a  larger  church  structure  a  necessity. 
This  was  built  on  a  lot  purchased  of  Mrs.  Rutherford 
Hayes  for  the  sum  of  $1,900,  and  dedicated  in  1847  by 
Bishop  Janes.  This  church  was  outgrown,  and  in 
1880  a  larger  structure  was  projected,  and  completed 
in  1888. 

But  this  Church  was  not  only  to  become  the  eccle- 
siastical center  of  Methodism  in  Delaware,  but  the 
mother  of  other  organizations  as  well.  In  1852,  her 
walls  were  again  crowded  to  overflowing,  and,  dividing 
her  surplus,  she  gave  to  South  Delaware  St.  Paul's. 

In  i860,  another  overflow  from  the  parent  hive,  and 
East  Delaware  gained  Grace  Church.  North  Dela- 
ware remained  yet  *'to  be  supplied,"  and  in  1886  As- 
bury  Church  was  planted  in  the  North  End. 

Of  the  three  Delaware  Churches  cradled  in  Will- 
iam Street,  St.  Paul's  is  the  elder  and  stronger.  Or- 
ganized with  a  class  of  about  thirty,  it  now  has  a  mem- 
bership of  five  hundred,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  of 
whom  are  students. 

In  1870,  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Creighton  entered  on  his 
work    as    pastor   of   St.    Paul's,    and    remained    three 


366  OHIO   METHODISM. 

years.  Under  his  leadership,  active  measures  were 
taken  for  estabhshing  a  mission  Church  in  the  adjacent 
territory  of  South  Delaware.  For  about  twenty  years 
a  little  band  of  self-sacrificing  workers  labored  for  the 
uplifting  of  this  neglected  quarter. 

The  late  beloved  Dr.  Merrick  and  wife  were  con- 
stant and  abounding  in  good  works.  At  the  close  of 
one  of  the  afternoon  services,  one  of  the  early  workers 
came  to  Dr.  Merrick,  and  described  a  prayer-meeting 
held  under  a  tree  by  Mrs.  Merrick  and  herself.  This 
was  the  first  landmark  of  progress.  For  some  years 
services  were  held  in  halls  and  private  houses.  At 
length  the  conclusion  was  reached  that  a  church  struc- 
ture was  necessary  to  permanent  success.  In  less  than 
a  year  after  (1891),  through  the  aid,  financial  and  per- 
sonal, of  him  who  has  been  styled  "the  father  of  the 
mission  work,"  the  building-  was  in  readiness  for  dedi- 
cation. The  people  earnestly  desired  it  should  be 
called  Merrick  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  honor 
of  him  who  had  done  so  much  for  it;  but  his  life-long 
modesty  brought  in  a  protest,  and  he,  himself,  sug- 
gested the  name.  Faith  Church.  The  cost  of  the 
building  and  lot  was  $1,800.  The  first  years  were 
spent  in  developing  the  seeds  of  Christian  life,  and 
becoming  fully  established  in  the  principles  of  godli- 
ness. During  the  past  year  the  Church  has  been  fa- 
vored with  a  gracious  revival,  which  has  greatly  im- 
proved and  strengthened  all  departments  of  mission 
work.  Another  year  may  witness  the  incorporation  of 
Faith  Church  into  one  of  the  Conferences.  At  pres- 
ent, it  is  under  the  superintendency  of  the  various 
Methodist  Episcopal  Churches  of  the  city. 


METHODISM  L\   CITIES.  367 

Grace  Cliurch,  organized  in  i860  by  the  Rev. 
Henry  E.  Pilcher,  was  originally  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Central  Ohio  Conference.  In  i860  the  action  of  the 
General  Conference  transferred  it  to  the  North  Ohio. 
It  has  largely  a  country  membership,  together  with 
the  English-speaking  Methodists  on  the  east  side  of 
the  river.  It  has  never  been  a  wealthy  Church,  and 
only  of  recent  years  a  separate  parish.  It  has,  how- 
ever, enjoyed  many  fervent  revivals,  and  been  th^e 
source  of  helpful  i-ntiuence  in  its  vicinity.  It  has  a 
church  edifice  worth  $6,000,  a  new  parsonage  costing 
$1,500,  a  congregation  of  three  hundred,  and  a  Sun- 
day-school of  about  two  hundred. 

Asbury  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  organized  in 
1886,  was  first  a  part  of  the  Central  Ohio  Conference. 
In  1896,  in  a  readjustment  of  boundary  lines,  it  was 
transferred,  by  action  of  General  Conference,  to  the 
North  Ohio.  Each  Ohio  Conference,  Cincinnati  alone 
excepted,  has  now  in  Delaware  a  representative 
Church;  viz.,  Central  Ohio,  William  Street;  Ohio,  St. 
Paul's;  North  Ohio,  Asbury.  After  about  ten  years 
of  existence,  this  young  Church  has  a  membership 
of  three  hundred  and  eighty,  and  a  Sabbath-school  of 
two  hundred  and  fifty,  with  all  departments  of  Church 
work  in  flourishing  condition.  Its  church  structure 
is  one  of  the  most  tasteful  in  the  city,  and  a  fine  organ, 
costing  $3,000,  adds  much  to  the  beautx-  of  the  interior 
and  to  the  edification  of  worshij). 

Our  colored  brethren  have  been  waging  a  sore  but 
unwearied  struggle  against  the  forces  of  evil  in  the 
South  End.  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  our  bishops,  was  organized 


368  OHIO   METHODISM. 

in  1883,  and  has  a  membership  of  thirty,  and  Sabbath- 
school  of  about  sixty.  It  is  in  g^ood  condition,  and 
merits  encouragement  from  those  who  have  means 
and  influence. 

There  is  also  an  African  Methodist  Church,  en- 
tirely under  African  supervision,  organized  in   1853. 

The  German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  dates 
back  to  1836.  This  year,  Rev.  William  Nast,  the  first 
German  missionary  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  traveled  through  Central  Ohio  from  the  river 
to  the  Take,  preaching  to  the  few  from  the  Fatherland 
who  had  settled  in  this  Western  country.  On  one  of 
these  mission  tours.  Dr.  Nast  passed  through  Dela- 
ware, and  preached  to  a  few^  countrymen,  wdio  heard 
him  gladly.  About  1844,  Dr.  Barth,  of  Columbus,  held 
a  revival-meeting  in  Delaware,  which  was  the  begin- 
ning of  this  little  Church.  After  many  struggles,  the 
present  brick  church  was  dedicated  in  1855,  by  Bishop 
Simpson.  Since  the  organization  of  the  German  Con- 
ferences, it  has  belonged  to  the  Central  German  Con- 
ference. The  membership  of  the  Church  has  never 
exceeded  one  hundred  and  fifty  members,  having  been 
repeatedly  drained  by  migrations  to  the  West.  How- 
ever, the  Church  has  done  much  good  among  the 
German  population.  It  has  had  about  thirty  pastors 
and  assistants,  many  of  them  men  of  fine  qualifications. 
The  Church  now  contemplates  the  sale  of  its  present 
structure,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  a  new  loca- 
tion in  East  Delaware,  where  the  majority  of  the  Ger- 
man population  is  to  be  found. 

For  this  phenomenal  denominational  growth,  giv- 
ing Methodism  a  pre-eminence  of  seven  to  one,  there 


METHODISM  A^■   CITIES.  369 

are  many  causes,  chief  among  which  is  the  existence 
in  our  midst  of  a  Alethodist  cohege,  patronized  largely 
by  Methodist  families  and  supported  by  Methodist  in- 
fluence. A  city  of  ten  thousand  inhabitants,  a  quarter 
of  whom  are  Methodists,  presents  a  unique  spectacle. 
To  these  we  may  add  another  quarter  already  in  the 
Sunday-school,  and  soon  to  become  standard-bearers 
in  the  Church.  There  is  surely  no  other  city  in  the 
State  which  can  boast  so  large  a  denominational  per- 
centage, so  rapid  an  ecclesiastical  growth,  and  so  wide 
a  circle  of  influence.  Linda  Duvall. 

METHODISM  IN  HAST  LIVERPOOL. 

In  1823  there  w^ere  only  a  few  houses  where  the 
present  city  of  East  Liverpool,  containing  fifteen  thou- 
sand people,  is  now  situated,  and  there  was  at  that 
time  no  preaching  by  any  denomination.  There  was 
a  preaching-place  at  "Pleasant  Heights,"  just  north 
of  the  village. 

Shortly  after  this,  probably  in  1824,  Rev.  George 
Brown  came  here  from  Wheeling,  and  stopped  with 
Cleaburn  Simms,  Sr.,  with  whom  he  had  a  personal 
acquaintance,  and  organized  a  Methodist  class,  com- 
posed of  eight  or  ten  members. 

William  Phillips  built  the  first  Methodist  church, 
paying  the  most  of  the  cost  himself,  but  soliciting 
what  he  could  from  others.  This  was  done  about  1837. 
This  church  stood  where  the  present  parsonage  stands. 

For  several  years  previous,  preaching  was  in  an 
unchinked  log  schoolhouse. 

East  Liverpool  was  first  a  regular  preaching-place 
in  1834.  a  part  of  Columbiana  Circuit  and  in  Warren 
24 


370  OHIO  MErnoDisM. 

District,  which  extended  from  Ashtabula  to  the  Ohio 
River.  In  1852,  the  first  building-  being-  considered  un- 
safe, a  new  church  was  built  on  the  lots  adjoining 
where  the  present  church  now  stands,  at  the  corner  of 
Fifth  and  Jackson  Streets. 

After  a  time  this  second  building  was  also  thought 
by  many  to  be  dangerous,  and  this  opinion  was  con- 
firmed one  Saturday  evening  in  1855,  when  the  whole 
end  blew  in  over  the  pulpit.  Nevertheless,  the  build- 
ing was  repaired ;  but  there  was  much  complaint  until 
the  present  church  was  built  in  1872. 

In  the  winter  of  1893-4,  there  was  a  gracious  re- 
vival of  religion,  in  which  eight  hundred  persons  pro- 
fessed saving  grace;  probably  two  hundred  of  these 
were  already  members  of  some  Church.  A  number 
joined  other  Churches,  and  441  united  with  the  Meth- 
odist Church  on  probation,  and  66  by  letter.  It  was 
then  made  apparent  that  there  was  not  sufficient  church 
room.  Hundreds  were  turned  away  from  the  meet- 
ings, though  the  audience-room  was  large,  being  50 
by  80  feet.  The  experiment  of  holding  services  both 
up  and  down  stairs  at  the  same  time  was  tried.  The 
lecture-room,  class-rooms,  and  vestibule  were  all 
crowded,  in  addition  to  the  large  audience-room. 
Though  making  all  allowance  for  abatement  of  inter- 
est after  the  revival,  it  was  evident  there  would  not  be 
sufficient  room  for  the  congregation.  A  few  favored 
the  building  of  another  church;  but  at  a  meeting  of 
the  trustees,  September  7,  1894,  it  was  resolved  to 
borrow  $7,000,  mortgaging  the  Church  property,  and 
enlarge.  As  efforts  had  been  made  for  many  years 
to  secure  a  new  pipe-organ,  it  was  determined  to  do 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  37 1 

the  whole  at  once,  that  it  might  be  better  harmonized. 
Galleries  were  built  around  the  audience-room,  an 
addition  of  seventeen  feet  was  made  to  the  rear,  giv- 
ing room  for  the  organ  and  a  large  class  room,  and 
a  new  entrance  leading  to  all  parts  of  the  church  from 
Fifth  Street  was  given  to  the  pul^lic.  This  was  at  the 
time  of  a  general  strike  in  the  potteries,  when  very  few 
of  the  members  had  w^ork  or  business,  some  having 
been  out  of  employment  over  a  year.  Raising  money 
then  was  not  to  be  thought  of.  It  was  heroic  on  the 
part  of  the  trustees  to  mortgage  the  property,  and 
make  provision  for  the  increasing  multitude  that  de- 
sired to  hear  the  gospel.  The  improvements  cost 
$3,568  more  than  had  been  anticipated;  but  when  they 
were  completed,  times  and  financial  conditions  had  so 
far  improved  that  $3,800  were  raised — enough  to  pay 
the  amount  needed  in  excess  of  the  mortgage,  and 
several  hundred  dollars  of  other  indebtedness. 

In  1889,  by  the  guiding  hand  of  John  Williams, 
pastor  of  the  First  Church,  the  Second  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  was  organized.  It  is  located  about 
one  mile  east  of  the  First  Church,  in  what  is  called 
the  East  End.  This  appointment  makes  its  initial 
report  in  the  Minutes  of  1889:  W.  S.  Lockhard,  pas- 
tor; support,  $300;  membership,  64;  probationers,  51; 
paid  for  building,  $2,500;  number  of  Sunday-school 
scholars,  80;  average  attendance,  54.  In  1897,  S.  1*. 
Salmon  was  pastor;  salary,  $700;  members,  165;  Sun- 
day-school scholars,  135;  average  attendance,  95. 

T.  M.  Huston. 


372  OHIO  METHODISM. 

METHODIvSM   IN  FINDLAY. 

The  first  sermon  tliat  was  preached  in  Findlay 
was  by  Adam  Poe,  D.  D.,  in  the  year  1829.  He  was 
at  the  time  a  presiding  elder  connected  with  the 
Wyandot  Mission  at  Upper  Sandusky.  He  reached 
Fort  Findlay,  as  the  place  was  then  called,  on  Satur- 
day night,  a  stranger,  with  only  thirty-seven  cents 
in  his  pocket.  He  rode  his  horse  up  to  the  hotel, 
and  gave  directions  that  he  should  be  cared  for,  and 
then  went  to  the  Duddleson  schoolhouse,  a  log  build- 
ing on  East  Crawford  Street,  which  served  also  as 
court-house,  where  he  made  a  fire,  and  drawing  two 
benches  together,  made  them  his  bed  for  the  night. 
In  the  morning  he  went  out,  and  informed  all  whom 
he  met  that  he  would  preach  in  the  schoolhouse  at  ten 
o'clock.  Many  of  the  villagers  came  out  to  hear  him, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  sermon  a  kind  lady  invited  him 
home  to  dinner.  No  doubt  he  did  ample  justice  to  the 
dinner,  as  he  had  had  neither  supper  nor  breakfast. 
Dr.  Poe  was  one  of  the  strongest  men  in  the  denomi- 
nation. He  gave  this  account  himself  some  years  later 
to  C.  A.  Croninger.  Unfortunately  he  had  forgotten 
both  his  text  and  the  name  of  his  hostess. 

Fort  Findlay  was  visited  by  several  other  mission- 
aries from  Upper  Sandusky,  among  whom  were  Revs. 
T.  Thompson,  E.  C.  Ciavitt,  J.  Hooper,  Jacob  Young, 
and  Russel  Bigelow.  The  last  two  w^ere  presiding 
elders.  In  November,  1832,  a  mission  was  estab- 
lished, with  the  Revs.  Elam  Day  and  Benjamin  Allen 
missionaries. 

In  1850  the  society  was,  at  its  own  request,  made 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  373 

a  station,  and  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Lunt  was  appointed  as 
pastor.  During  the  year  a  new  church  was  built  on 
the  lot  occupied  by  its  present  edifice.  As  early  as 
1855  the  agitation  began  for  a  new  building.  In  1859, 
during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Gershom  Lease,  sub- 
scriptions for  that  purpose  were  received,  but  the  war 
came  on,  and  the  enterprise  was  postponed.  But  in 
1865  it  was  found  impossible  to  continue  much  longer 
in  the  old  church.  Subscriptions  were  received  to 
the  amount  of  $15,000,  which,  with  the  proceeds  of 
the  old  church,  made  about  $17,500.  The  corner- 
stone of  the  present  church  was  laid  in  the  summer 
of  1866.  The  l)uilding  cost  in  all  about  $33POO-  It 
was,  for  that  time,  a  very  fine  building;  a  wonderful 
change  from  the  old  one. 

During  the  administration  of  Rev.  A.  J.  Fish, 
1884  to  1887,  the  boom  which  resulted  from  the  dis- 
covery and  use  of  natural  gas  struck  the  place,  and 
in  five  years  Findlay  changed  from  a  town  of  five  thou- 
sand to  a  city  of  eighteen  thousand.  In  1887,  the  old 
parsonage  just  east  of  the  church,  which  cost  the  soci- 
ety $2,000,  was  sold  for  $12,000,  or,  less  the  commission 
allowed  the  agent,  $11,700.  Of  the  proceeds,  $2,000 
was  given  to  aid  the  Howard  Church — as  a  second 
society,  which  was  organized  about  this  time,  was 
called — and  subsequently,  $325  to  the  Third  Church, 
the  one  in  the  Heck  addition.  The  lot  on  which  the 
parsonage  now  stands  was  bought  for  $4,000. 

The  Rev.  David  Gray  is  entitled  to  particular 
notice,  because  of  his  long  residence  in  Findlay  as  a 
superannuate.  He  was  appointed  to  Findlay  as 
preacher  in  1853.     The  charge  was  then  called  a  sta- 


374  OHIO  METHODISM. 

tion,  as  we  have  seen,  but  it  had  two  country  ap- 
pointments attached  to  it — one  at  Thomas's  school- 
house,  three  miles  up  the  River  Ulanchard,  and  the 
other  two  miles  west  of  Findlay,  at  Burkhead's 
schoolhouse.  Brother  Gray  preached  at  Findlay  every 
Sunday  morning  and  evening,  and  at  each  of  the 
country  appointments  every  other  Sunday  in  the 
afternoon.  The  membership  of  the  Church  was  then 
divided  into  nine  classes,  including  one  at  each  of  the 
country  appointments.  The  next  year  he  was  made 
the  presiding  elder  of  the  Maumee  District,  and 
moved  to  Maumee  City.  Four  years  later,  at  the 
end  of  his  term  as  presiding  elder,  he  purchased  a 
home  in  Findlay,  where  he  and  his  family  continued 
to  live.  He  preached  for  a  number  of  years  in  cir- 
cuits near  by  till  1864,  when  he  was  made  super- 
numerary. In  1870  he  took  a  superannuated  rela- 
tion, which  he  held  until  his  death,  in  1887.  in  his 
eighty-eighth  year.  Joseph  M.  Avann. 

METHODISM  IN  GALLIPOIJS. 

The  first  Methodist  sermon  ever  preached  in  Galli- 
polis,  Ohio,  was  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Baker,  some  time 
during  the  year  18 17,  at  the  residence  of  Ahaz  S. 
Morehouse,  a  log  house  located  at  the  mouth  of  Mill 
Creek.  The  IMethodist  itinerant  was  not  then  re- 
ceived with  as  cordial  a  welcome  as  others  have  been 
since.  After  the  first  two  or  three  services  had  been 
held,  and  it  became  noised  abroad  that  a  Methodist 
preacher  was  in  the  community,  the  rowdies  became 
so  troublesome  that  the  preacher  was  compelled  to 
announce  ^'that  Mr.  Morehouse  could  not  have  serv- 


jriCTHOPfs.ir  i\  ciriKS.  375 

ices  there  longer,  and  unless  some  one  else  would  open 
a  house,  he  would  not  come  again."  Calvin  Shepard, 
who  may  justly  be  entitled  ''the  father  of  Gallipolis 
Methodism,"  was  present,  though  not  then  a  inem- 
ber,  and  cheerfully  offered  his  house  as  a  place  of  wor- 
ship, and  from  that  time  they  continued  to  hold  regular 
services.  Shortly  after  the  events  just  narrated, 
Brother  Shepard,  while  on  a  visit  to  some  friends  near 
Cincinnati,  sought  and  found  the  Savior  at  a  jMeth- 
odist  meeting.  He  united  with  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  for  so  doing  was  ostracized  by  his  father's  family, 
who  were  Presbyterians.  From  that  time  to  the  pres- 
ent, Calvin  Shepard  and  his  posterity  have  formed  an 
unbroken  line  of  Methodists  of  a  very  distinct  and 
positive  type. 

The  first  class  consisted  of  about  ten  members.  The 
circuit,  of  which  Gallipolis  was  but  one  appointment, 
extended  from  Letart  Falls,  thirty-six  miles  up  the 
Ohio  River,  to  Wheelersburg,  eighty  miles  below, 
embracing  large  territory  on  both  sides  of  the  river. 
The  first  Methodist  church  was  built  in  Gallipolis  in 
1 82 1,  and  stood  where  the  parsonage  now  stands. 
Calvin  Shepard  placed  a  mortgage  upon  his  private 
residence  to  secure  the  necessary  funds  to  complete 
the  church. 

It  was  a  modest  structure,  1)ut  served  as  a  com- 
fortable meeting-place  until  1849,  when  it  was  re- 
placed by  a  much  larger  and  more  expensive  house 
of  worship.  The  society  worshiped  and  prospered  in 
this  house  for  twenty-six  years,  when  it  became  neces- 
sary to  tear  down  and  build  greater.  Accordingly, 
in  the  year  1875,  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  C.  D. 


376  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Battelle,  the  present  beautiful  and  commodious  build- 
ing was  erected,  and  June  25,  1876,  was  dedicated  by 
Bishop  R.  S.  Foster.  In  1885  a  mission  chapel, 
Ivuown  as  *'Damron  Chapel,"  was  built  in  the  upper 
end  of  the  city,  near  the  place  where  the  first  Meth- 
odist sermon  was  preached.  Class-meetings,  prayer- 
meetings,  and  Sunday-school  are  held  here  weekly. 

P.  A.  Baker. 

METHODISM   IN  HAMILTON. 

In  1 8 19  six  persons  banded  themselves  together 
in  Hamilton,  Ohio,  and  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Rev.  Samuel  West  was 
appointed  to  travel  Miami  Circuit  in  the  fall  of  1818, 
continuing  for  one  year.  \Mien  he  came  to  that  circuit 
there  was  no  Methodist  preaching  in  Hamilton,  nor 
was  there  any  organized  society  of  that  denomination 
in  the  place.  But  as  he  traveled  around  the  circuit, 
he  passed  through  Hamilton  occasionally,  and  having 
been  previously  acquainted  with  Thomas  Sinnard,  who 
then  lived  in  Hamilton,  Mr.  Sinnard  invited  Mr.  West 
to  make  an  appointment  and  preach  in  that  town, 
which  he  did  in  the  brick  house  then  standing  on  lot 
No.  140,  at  the  intersection  of  Third  and  Dayton 
Streets,  and  continued  to  preach  regularly  as  he  passed 
around  his  circuit.  At  the  close  of  Mr.  West's  year 
on  the  circuit,  in  the  fall  of  the  year  18 19,  Hamilton 
and  Rossville  were  made  a  station,  and  Mr.  West  ap- 
pointed to  it.  During  that  year  he  preached  in  the 
brick  schoolhouse  above  mentioned,  and  in  Delorac's 
warehouse  in  Rossville,  and  occasionally  at  Schooley's. 
It  was  in  that  year  that  the  first  Methodist  meeting- 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  377 

house  was  built.  It  was  connncnced  about  six  mouths 
after  ^Ir.  West  begau  his  stated  labors,  aud  was  fin- 
ished uuder  his  superiutendeuce  l^efore  the  year  closed, 
and  left  ready  for  his  successor  to  enter  with  a  society 
of  over  sixty  members. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1833,  a  report  was  made 
to  the  society,  saying  that  a  gentleman  had  offered  to 
convey  them  another  lot  of  land  west  of  the  old  one, 
on  condition  that  a  parsonage  should  be  erected;  but 
as  the  society  was  about  to  build  a  new  house  of  w^or- 
ship,  they  saw  difficulties  in  the  way.  The  gift,  how- 
ever, was  accepted,  and  efforts  w^ere  made  to  erect  a 
suitable  church,  in  order  to  accommodate  the  in- 
creased number  of  people.  A  subscription-paper  was 
put  into  circulation,  and  funds  were  raised  sufficient 
to  erect  the  building. 

The  second  building,  which  was  begun  in  the  year 
1833,  a  neat,  substantial  structure,  was  of  brick,  sixty 
feet  long  by  forty-five  feet  wide,  with  a  gallery,  and 
was  capable  of  seating  from  seven  to  eight  hundred 
persons.     Its  cost  was  about  $4,800. 

The  old  building  was  occupied  as  a  carpenter-shop 
by  Peter  IMyers  until  the  5th  of  March,  1839,  when 
l)Oth  the  new^  and  the  old  churches  w^ere  burned. 
This  calamity  was  most  sensibly  felt.  The  Meth- 
odists had  been  before  the  public  Avith  subscriptions 
for  building  two  houses,  and  besides  this  had  lost 
some  of  their  best  members  by  removal.  But  nothing- 
daunted,  they  resolved  to  build  another  place  of  wor- 
ship, and  by  a  vigorous  effort  the  house  was  raised  and 
partly  finished,  so  as  to  occupy  the  upper  room  for 
Church  purposes,  leaving  the  basement  and  gallery 


378  OHIO   METHODISM. 

unfinished,  in  the  summer  of  1840.  The  debt  of  the 
Church  at  that  time  was  between  six  and  seven  thou- 
sand dollars.  In  addition  to  what  the  building  would 
naturally  have  cost,  there  was  the  expense  of  rebuild- 
ing one  of  the  walls,  which  had  been  blown  down  by  a 
gale  of  wind  while  the  building  was  in  process  of  erec- 
tion. After  this  was  paid,  the  Church  went  on  with  its 
repairs,  alterations,  and  improvements,  until  it  was 
nearly  finished.  In  June,  1868,  the  trustees  resolved 
to  remodel  the  walls  inside,  and  six  thousand  dollars 
were  obtained  to  begin  the  work. 

The  building  was  of  brick,  forty  feet  long  by  fifty- 
five  feet  wide,  with  a  basement  story  of  stone.  The 
entrance  was  by  doors  on  the  north  side  into  a  vesti- 
bule. The  pulpit  and  altar  were  on  the  south  end. 
Three  aisles  run  the  whole  length  of  the  building,  and 
the  residue  was  divided  into  a  number  of  pews,  having 
a  gallery  on  the  north  end.  The  whole  was  capable 
of  seating  comfortably  one  thousand  persons.  It  had 
a  plain  roof,  without  steeple  or  cupola;  but  the  whole 
edifice  was  in  good  taste,  and  presented  a  handsome 
appearance.     The  whole  cost  was  $7,339.77. 

The  Sunday-school  began  operations  about  the 
time  the  first  church  was  built,  in  1820.  The  parson- 
age was  built  in  1859,  and  the  roof  of  the  church  was 
put  on  at  the  same  time.  The  reported  cost  of  the 
whole  work  was  $2,479.80. 

In  1893  it  was  unanimously  decided  to  dismantle 
the  old  church,  and  erect  in  its  place  a  more  attractive 
and  commodious  building.  On  ]\Iay  T,  1893.  the  work 
of  building  the  new  church  bc.can,  and  it  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  June  i,  1894.    The  building  is  of 


METn()I)IS.}f  IN   CITIES.  Z19 

red  stone  and  of  tlie  Romanesque  style  of  architecture, 
with  the  parsonage  attached  and  under  the  same  roof. 
The  exterior  presents  to  the  eye  of  the  beholder  a 
most  beautiful  picture;  while  the  interior,  with  its  large 
and  attractive  auditorium,  pulpit  and  choir  arrange- 
ment, stained-glass  allegorical  windows,  and  deco- 
rated wall,  presents  the  most  pleasing  appearance; 
and  wdien  the  auditorium  and  Sunday-school  rooms 
are  thrown  together,  they  will  comfortably  seat 
fourteen  hundred  persons.  The  cost  of  the  building 
w^as  $35,000.  The  membership  of  tlie  Church  num- 
bers five  hundred,  and  the  Sunday-school  six  hundred, 
and,  altogether,  is  a  fitting  culmination  of  ninety-nine 
years  of  jNIethodism  m  Hamilton,  Ohio. 

Henry  Mallory. 

METHODISM  IN  HILLSBORO. 

The  first  Methodist  sermon  in  Highland  County 
was  preached  by  James  Quinn  in  1805,  ii"^  the  log 
cabin  of  Robert  Fitzpatrick,  six  miles  southeast  of 
Hillsboro.  The  home  of  Mrs.  Tames  Trimble,  mother 
of  Ex-Governor  Trimble,  about  three  miles  north  of 
Hillsboro,  also  served  as  a  temple  in  the  wilderness, 
where  the  earnest,  brave  pioneers  of  northeastern  por- 
tions of  Highland  County  w^orshiped  the  God  of  their 
fathers,  ministered  to  by  James  Quinn  and  others  of 
like  holy  zeal. 

As  time  developed  the  spiritualiiy,  taste,  and  cour- 
age of  these  early  Christians,  it  came  into  their  hearts 
to  build  a  house  for  the  T.ord,  which  should  represent 
the  Fitzpatrick  log-cabin  service.  It  was  accordingly 
built  and  dedicated — and  still  retains  the  zeal  and  faitli 


380  OHIO   METHODISM. 

of  early  days — and  is  known  as  Prospect  Alethodist 
P2piscopal  Church.  Later  on,  "Clear  Creek  Chapel" 
was  erected  and  dedicated,  thus  perpetuating  the  good 
seed  sown  in  the  consecrated  cabin  of  the  widow  of 
Captain  James  Trimble,  of  Kentucky. 

The  first  class  in  Highland  County  was  formed  at 
Mr.  Edward  Chaney's  residence,  near  Hillsboro,  in 
1808,  he  being  the  leader.  In  1810  the  first  class 
was  organized  in  Hillsboro,  in  the  home  of  the 
leader,  Brother  Joslin.  The  honored  sheriff  of  the 
county,  Brother  John  Ellis,  was  leader  of  the  sec- 
ond class,  and  Brother  Jacob  Butcher  of  the  third. 
He,  with  his  wife  and  three  daughters,  g-ave  them- 
selves to  the  interest  of  the  Church,  and  with  the  zeal 
and  devotion  of  the  German  character  made  them- 
selves felt  for  good  in  many  departments.  The  first 
Methodist  church  in  Highland  County  was  built  in 
Hillsboro  in  181 1,  on  a  lot  then  owned  by  John  Hib- 
ben,  the  present  site  of  the  post-office  on  Court  Street. 
It  was  a  small  frame  structure,  and  belonged  to  what 
was  called  the  Scioto  Circuit,  which  embraced  the 
greater  part  of  the  territory  west  of  that  river  and  east 
of  the  Little  Miami.  Revs.  S.  Henkle  and  S.  Tim- 
mons  were  the  pastors,  and  Rev.  S.  Langdon  the  pre- 
siding elder.  The  membership  of  the  Church  was 
fifty-five.  The  church  soon  became  too  small  to  ac- 
connnodate  the  increasing  congregation,  and  in  181 5 
a  larger  church  was  erected  on  the  present  site  of  the 
parsonage  on  East  Walnut  Street.  It  was  built  of 
hewed  logs,  and  was  30  by  36  feet.  It  had  an  octagon 
front,  and  was,  no  doubt,  considered  a  fine  building. 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  38  I 

The  congregi^ation  still  increaserl,  and  about  the 
year  1822  a  one-storied  brick  church  was  erected  on 
the  site  of  the  present  clmrch.  It  was  a  g'ood-sized 
building,  and  had  a  gallery  on  three  sides.  It  was 
dedicated  the  same  year  l^y  Bishop  McKendree. 

The  present  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1853. 
The  church  was  only  about  six  months  in  building, 
during  wdiich  time  trees  were  felled  and  sawed,  bricks 
burned,  and  building  erected,  and  furnished  ready  for 
dedication  at  the  time  fixed.  It  was  dedicated  by 
Joseph  j\I.  Trimble,  assisted  in  the  services  by  Dr. 
Charles  Elliott,  editor  of  the  Wcsicrn  Christian  Ad- 
vocate. 

Mrs.  Jane  Trimble,  who.  in  the  year  1819,  had  left 
her  Clear  Creek  farm  for  a  residence  with  her  son, 
Allen  Trimble,  wdio  had  married  and  established  a 
home  in  Hillsboro,  seeing  the  great  need  of  Sunday- 
school  work,  gathered  up  a  class  of  little  girls,  and  in 
the  quiet  parlor  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Nelson,  taught 
them  blessed  lessons  from  God's  Word,  and  with  song 
and  prayer  made  that  little  room  a  Bethel  indeed! 
Soon  a  Bible-class  of  young  men  was  undertaken,  and 
out  of  that  class  five  became  earnest  ministers  of  the 
gospel;  viz.,  Joseph  McD. Trimble, her  grandson;  Will- 
iam H.  Law^der,  George  C.  Crum,  John  Brouse,  and 
John  G.  Bruce.  The  latter  became  one  of  Kentucky's 
prominent  Methodist  Episcopal  ministers.  j\Ir.  Alex- 
ander Buntain  was  persuaded  to  take  the  superintend- 
ency  of  the  Sundax-scliool  then  organized;  the  youth- 
ful George  C.  Crum  as  assistant,  until  he  should  join 
the  Ohio  Conference.     To-day  the  Church  can  boast 


382  OHIO  METHODISM. 

of  a  well-ordered  and  spiritual  Sunday-school,  Two 
missionaries  have  gone  from  the  school,  Miss  Mary  D. 
Loyd  and  Miss  Hattie  L.  Ayers.  The  present  enroll- 
ment is  627,  with  a  large  average  attendance. 

L.  Detwiler. 

METHODISM  IN  MANSFIELD. 

Mansfield  was  laid  out  by  General  James  Hedges, 
June  II,  1808.  The  first  cabin  was  built  in  1809.  In 
1815  the  village  consisted  of  two  block-houses,  built 
for  defense  from  the  Indians,  and  twenty-two  log- 
houses.  But  one  of  these  buildings  is  now  standing. 
It  was  built  by  William  B.  James^  a  physician  and 
local  preacher,  in  1814.  It  was  the  birthplace  of  or- 
ganized Methodism  in  Mansfield  and  Richland  County. 
In  it  Dr.  James  organized,  in  1814,  the  class  which 
afterward  built  the  first  church-building  in  the  county, 
and  here  the  little  band  of  Methodists  often  met  for 
worship.  He  frequently  preached  for  the  class  he  had 
organized  as  early  as  1815.  In  1816,  Jacob  Young, 
presiding  elder  of  Muskingum  District,  Ohio  Confer- 
ence, traveled  all  over  Richland,  Wayne,  Ashland,  and 
Knox  Counties,  and  at  the  Annual  Conference  of  181 7 
a  circuit,  called  Mansfield  Circuit,  was  formed,  with 
Lemuel  Lane  as  preacher  in  charge.  The  first  quar- 
terly-meeting of  that  year  was  held  in  the  tavern,  with 
whisky-drinking  and  carousing  going  on  in  the  ad- 
joining bar-room,  and  Lane  went  into  the  bar-room 
and  exhorted  the  sinners  there,  a  number  of  whom 
came  to  the  altar.  Lane  kept  the  door  of  the  love- 
feast  the  next  morning,  and  kept  out  those  who  wanted 
to    come    in    to    buy    whisky.      Jacob    Young,    who 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  383 

preached  that  day,  says:  "The  angry  people  raged 
without,  (jod  worked  within,  and  we  had  a  refreshing 
time." 

The  first  church-building  in  Mansfield  was  erected 
by  the  Methodists.  It  is  still  standing,  and  used  as  a 
dwelling.  The  frame  was  raised  Alarch  4,  1818,  the 
day  on  which  Mary,  Dr.  James's  daughter,  was  born. 
It  was,  when  completed,  the  best  building  for  any 
purpose  in  the  village.  A  gallery  was  placed  in  the 
building  in  1829,  to  accommodate  the  growing  con- 
gregations,'but  the  Church  outgrew  the  building,  and 
in  January,  1834,  during  the  pastorate  of  William  Run- 
nells,  the  first  steps  were  taken  to  build  a  larger 
church.  In  March,  1835,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  obtain  subscriptions  for  the  new  church.  Russel 
Bigelow  and  Mordecai  Hartley,  afterward  governor  of 
Ohio,  were  members  of  the  committee.  The  Building- 
Committee  was  appointed  in  1835.  The  work  pro- 
gressed slow^ly,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1836  the  church 
was  dedicated  by  Adam  Poe,  presiding  elder. 

During  Dr.  Lorenzo  Warner's  first  pastorate, 
1848-9,  the  church  could  no  longer  accommodate  the 
crowds  which  flocked  to  the  services,  and  in  Septem- 
ber, 1849,  the  question  of  a  second  church  was  first 
discussed  in  the  Official  Board  meetings.  In  185 1, 
the  Second  Church  was  organized,  with  about  seventy- 
five  members.  Samuel  Meredith  became  its  pastor. 
The  Conference  Minutes  for  1852  rei)ort  a  member- 
ship in  First  Church  of  210,  and  in  the  Second  Church 
of  67;  the  First  Church  Sunday-school  numbering  120, 
and  the  Second  Church  school  142.  The  experiment 
of  a  Second  Cluuxh,  however,  proved  a  failure,  and, 


384  OHIO  METHODISM. 

September  11,  1852,  the  Official  Boards  met  in  joint 
meeting-,  and  the  Churches  reunited.  Henry  E.  Pil- 
cher,  the  pastor,  presided  at  the  meeting. 

The  steady  growth  of  the  membership  finahy  made 
a  larger  building  an  absolute  necessity,  and  in  1867  a 
lot  was  purchased  on  the  Public  Square,  and  the  work 
of  collecting  money  for  a  new  church  begun.  The 
church,  a  large,  two-story,  Gothic,  brick  structure, 
was  dedicated,  July  3,  1870,  by  Bishop  Clark  and  I.  C. 
Pershing,  D.  D.  John  H.  Mudge  was  pastor.  It  cost 
about  $33,000.  In  1876  a  fine  pipe-organ  was  pur- 
chased, and  in  188 1  a  commodious  parsonage  was 
built. 

The  membership  has  again  (1898)  outgrown  the 
capacity  of  the  church,  making  enlargement  impera- 
tive. It  has  tw^o  Sunday-schools,  with  a  total  enroll- 
ment of  eight  hundred.  A  flourishing  mission  school 
was  organized  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  city  in 
1893,  and  will  soon  be  housed  in  a  neat  chapel,  built 
by  the  Church  at  a  cost,  including  lot,  of  about  $2,000. 

The  Epworth  League  numbers  263,  with  an  aver- 
age attendance  at  devotional  meetings,  in  1897,  of  177. 
The  Junior  League  has  164  members.  The  Church 
occupies  a  commanding  place  among  the  Churches  of 
the  city,  only  one  exceeding  it  in  membership,  and  it 
is  now  the  largest  Church  in  the  North  Ohio  Confer- 
ence, and  ranks  among  the  fifteen  largest  ?^Icthodist 
Churches  of  the  State.  F.  A.  Gould. 

METHODISM  IN  MARIETTA. 

Methodism  crossed  the  mountains  into  Western 
Pennsylvania   in    1781,   and   had   a   "circuit"   in    that 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  3^5 

region,  with  a  regular  preacher,  as  early  as  1783.  The 
year  1788,  in  which  Marietta  was  founded,  saw  two  of 
its  Conferences  in  session  west  of  the  AUeghanies. 
On  the  Little  Kanawha,  a  dozen  miles  below  Marietta, 
Reece  Wolf,  a  Alethodist  local  preacher,  came  in  1798. 
The  winter  following,  his  preaching  resulted  in  a  re- 
vival, by  which  a  "class,"  numbering  twenty-one,  was 
formed.  In  response  to  a  call  upon  Bishop  Asbury 
for  help,  Robert  Manley  was  sent  to  assist  in  the  work 
so  well  begun.  He  organized  a  Methodist  Episcopal 
society  ai  that  place — in  Wood  County,  Virginia. 
After  preaching  at  different  points,  this  good  man 
"looked  across  the  Ohio,"  and  saw  another  great  field 
in  wdiich  "many  were  destitute  of  the  bread  of  life." 
Moved  by  this,  June  20,  1799,  he  came  to  Marietta, 
and  visited  each  settlement  of  the  county,  finding 
"growing  neighborhoods  entirely  destitute  of  the 
gospel." 

That  was  an  eventful  year  for  Methodism  in  this 
vicinity.  Classes  w^re  formed,  and  a  circuit  organ- 
ized. They  fell  into  the  Baltimore  Conference,  and  in 
1800  had  the  services  of  Jesse  Stoneman  and  James 
Ouinn  as  preachers.  Success  attended  their  labors  in 
the  country  neighborhoods,  but  not  in  Marietta.  The 
year  1804  saw  George  Askin  as  preacher  in  charge. 
Daniel  Hitt  had  been  the  first  presiding  elder,  but  now 
W^illiam  Burke  held  that  ofifice.  An  aggressive  move- 
ment was  made  in  the  town,  a  Methodist  camp-meet- 
ing being  there  held,  but  without  marked  results.  In 
the  year  1805  Jacob  Young  was  the  preacher.  He 
and  George  C.  Light  held  another  camp-meeting  on 
the  same  ground.  This  proved  more  effective  than  the 
25 


386  OHIO  METHODISM. 

first.  One  of  its  converts  was  Jonas  Johnson,  till 
then  an  active  disciple  of  Thomas  Paine.  He  at  once 
turned  from  the  latter's  "Age  of  Reason"  to  the  Bible 
and  Methodist  hymn-book,  and  became  the  leader  of 
the  first  "class"  formed  in  the  city.  For  years  it  regu- 
larly met,  thoug"h  suffering  much  from  persecution. 
The  houses  in  which  it  gathered  were  stoned,  windows 
broken,  and  at  times  the  chimneys  closed,  until  the 
worshipers  were  literally  "smoked  out." 

This  class  was  the  first  regular  organization  of 
Methodists  in  Marietta.  Among  its  members  was 
Henry  F'earing,  of  Harmar,  a  village  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  Muskingum  River.  The  two  places  always 
have  been  parts,  however,  of  one  community,  and  are 
now  united  under  a  single  city  government.  In  1806, 
a  third  camp-meeting  was  held,  this  time  in  Harmar. 
John  Sale^  presiding  elder,  and  Peter  Cartwright, 
the  preacher  in  charge,  conducted  it.  Among  the 
converts  w^ere  Joseph  Bartlett,  John  Drown,  Robert 
McCabe,  James  Whitney,  and  others,  of  high  reputa- 
tion. The  winter  of  1809-10  witnessed  a  great  revival, 
in  which  many  w^ere  added  to  the  Church.  Unhappily, 
dissensions  followed.  Soon,  however,  the  zealous  little 
band  recovered  from  the  effects  of  these  troubles. 

Up  to  this  time  Methodist  meetings  had  been  held 
in  private  houses,  or  the  old  academy.  A  schoolhouse 
in  Harmar  was  used  for  the  next  five  years.  On  a 
Sabbath  in  i8i|5,  while  Marcus  Lindsey  was  preach- 
ing, John  Stewart,  a  dissipated  Negro,  on  the  way  to 
drown  himself,  heard  his  voice,  went  to  the  place  of 
meeting,  and,  after  listening  to  the  sermon,  returned 
home  w^ith  an  awakened  conscience.     The  next  Sun- 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  387 

day  brought  liiiii  into  the  society.  He  could  read,  and 
was  a  superior  singer.  A  truly  regenerated  man,  wish- 
ing to  do  good,  Stewart  resolved  upon  going  to  the 
Indians  as  a  witness  for  the  gospel.  Taking  a  Bible 
and  hymn-book,  he  went  among  the  Delawares  and 
other  tribes,  often  at  the  peril  of  his  life;  meeting,  how- 
ever, with  great  success  on  the  Upper  Sandusky. 
"Thus  went  forth,"  says  Stevens,  "the  first  American 
Methodist  missionary,  and  he  an  African."  So  prom- 
ising was  Stewart's  work  that,  in  1819,  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference adopted  his  mission,  and  sent  him  a  colleague, 
under  the  presiding  eldership  of  James  B.  Finley.  The 
year  1822  saw  him  once  more  in  Marietta,  at  a  Con- 
ference, with  four  Indian  converts. 

During  181 5,  the  first  Alethodist  church  was  built, 
on  Second  Street.  Disaffection  came  in  18 19,  and  seri- 
ously harmed  the  society.  In  1825,  James  Whitney 
gave  to  the  Conference  a  faithful  representation  of  the 
unfortunate  condition  of  affairs.  He  wrote,  indeed, 
"Send  us  Leroy  Swormstedt,  or  we  are  gone."  That 
able,  excellent  man  was  appointed  for  the  coming  year. 
The  wisdom  of  this  action  was  demonstrated  during 
the  winter  of  1825-26  by  a  revival,  in  which  125  were 
added  to  the  Church.  The  building  on  Second  Street 
was  enlarged  in  1825,  and  again  at  a  later  period. 
Crawford  Chapel,  in  Harmar,  was  completed  in  1833. 
Some  very  strong  men,  in  character  and  influence, 
were  members  of  the  society  which  built  it. 

The  Centennial  of  Alethodism  came  in  1839.  This 
was  celebrated  l^y  iMarietta  ^fethodists  in  the  erection 
of  a  fine  brick  church  on  Putnam  Street.  Samuel 
Hamilton  was  then  presiding  elder,  and  William  P. 


388  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Strickland  preacher  in  charge.  With  them,  on  the 
(3fficial  Board,  were  Abram  Daniels,  local  elder;  John 
Crawford  and  John  McCoy,  local  deacons;  James 
Whitney  and  R.  P.  lanis^  stewards;  and  Daniel  Prots- 
man,  Joseph  Kelley,  Charles  Tidd,  Junia  Jennings, 
Wyllis  Hall,  Robert  Howeson,  J.  W.  Babcock,  Alex. 
Shanklin,  and  Benjamin  Sonle,  class-leaders.  These 
were  a  ''remarkable  body  of  men,"  says  a  contempo- 
rary, "with  the  Bible  in  their  pockets,  and  the  Lord's 
Spirit  in  their  hearts.''  The  new  building  was  dedi- 
cated by  Leonidas  L.  Hamline,  afterward  bishop,  the 
noted  David  Young  assisting.  There  were  two  sub- 
scriptions of  $500  each;  one  by  James  Dunn,  long 
since  gone  to  his  reward,  the  other  by  Hon.  George 
M.  Woodbridge,  now  the  oldest  Marietta  Methodist. 
He  united  with  the  Church  in  1828. 

The  "glory  of  the  Lord  came  down"  upon  Meth- 
odism in  its  new  home,  early  in  1842,  under  the 
preaching  of  L  C.  Hunter  and  William  Simmons,  187 
being  added  to  the  membership. 

In  1848^  Harmar  and  Marietta  were  made  separate 
"stations."  The  year  1856  brought  a  great  revival 
to  the  latter  charge,  from  wdiich  210  new  members 
were  received.  The  Whitney  Chapel  society  was  or- 
ganized in  1859.  This  grew  out  of  painful  differences 
in  Centenary  Charge,  intensified  by  lack  of  wisdom 
in  administration.  I'oth  societies,  however,  afterward 
])rospered  for  some  years.  In  1875  they  were  consoli- 
dated by  the  Annual  Conference,  in  the  older  charge. 
This  action  was  untimely,  and  proved  to  be  fraught 
with  sad  consequences  to  Methodism  in  Marietta. 
More  than  a  decade  was  required  to  make  up  the 


METHODISM  IX  CITIES.  389 

losses,  and  overcome  the  depression  which  it  caused. 
The  first  marked  advance  was  by  a  revival  under 
the  pastorate  of  S.  B.  Mathews  (1876-79).  G.  W. 
Burns  followed  him,  and  by  his  efficient  services  pro- 
gress was  continued.  During  that  period  the  need  of 
a  new  house  of  worship  became  manifest.  Brother 
Burns,  now  presiding  elder  of  the  district,  worked  with 
zeal  and  wisdom  in  preparing  the  way  for  this.  A  new 
site  was  bought,  but  not  until  the  pastorate  of  Thomas 
M.  Leslie  (1882-85)  was  the  First  Church  built.  A 
service  was  held  in  the  new  building,  then  incomplete, 
on  Thanksgiving-day,  1883.  On  Sunday,  July  19, 
1885,  it  was  dedicated,  C.  H.  Payne  preaching  and 
conducting  the  service.  The  cost  of  ground  and  build- 
ing was  over  $14,000.  Not  more  than  $300  came  from 
those  outside  the  society,  and  to  pay  it  all  took  fully  a 
tithe  of  its  entire  wealth  at  that  time.  Brother  Leslie 
was  active  in  promoting  the  work  which  resulted  in 
giving  jNIethodism  its  best  home  in  this  city — one  then 
unequaled  by  any  other  church  house  here.  Since  its 
dedication,  the  growth  of  the  society  has  been  steady 
and  solid.  During  the  pastorate  of  M.  W.  Acton, 
which  closed  last  year,  a  fine  pipe-organ,  far  the  best 
ever  in  the  town,  was  put  up,  to  help  in  worship  and 
add  to  the  proper  attractions  of  Church  services.  The 
congregations  have  grown  until  they  are  the  largest 
in  the  city — often  filling  the  auditorium  for  the  regular 
services.  Moreover,  it  should  not  be  forgotten,  says 
an  account  of  this  society,  now  before  me,  that  be- 
tween 1830  and  t86o  it  ''furnished  to  different  Con- 
ferences useful  laborers  in  the  Lord's  vineyard." 
Among  them  were  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Israel  Archi- 


390  OHIO  METHODISM. 

bald,  William  P.  Strickland;  L.  D.  AlcCabe,  so  long 
at  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University;  A.  S.  McCoy,  David 
Dempsey,  William  Protsman,  and  J.  H.  White. 

Crawford  Chapel,  in  what  now  is  called  "West  Ma- 
rietta," was  remodeled  during  the  pastorate  of  R.  H. 
Wallace  (1869-72).  Thus  fitted  for  religious  uses,  the 
history  of  this  house  w^as  made  memorable  by  a  revival 
of  great  power  while  C.  B.  Longman  occupied  its  pul- 
pit (1885-88).  This  meeting  not  only  enlarged  the  roll 
of  membership  in  that  society,  but  as  often  has  been 
the  case  when  Methodists  have  aroused  the  moral 
sensibilities  of  a  community,  by  personal  solicitation 
of  their  members  many  of  its  converts  were  induced 
to  go  to  other  Churches. 

Early  in  the  present  decade  it  became  evident  that 
a  larger  house,  better  located,  was  greatly  needed. 
During  the  pastorate  of  F.  R.  Crooks  (1892-7),  the 
work  of  providing  one  was  successfully  entered  upon. 
It  received  the  sympathy,  and  to  some  extent  the 
financial  aid  of  the  First  society.  The  happy  result 
was  Oilman  Avenue  Church,  the  finest  structure  of 
its  kind  ever  built  in  Harmar.  This  was  dedicated  by 
Bishop  I.  W.  Joyce,  assisted  by  D.  H.  Moore,  on  Sun- 
day, May  5,  1895. 

Excepting  the  First  Congregational  society,  the 
Methodist  is  the  only  religious  body  which  has  main- 
tained a  continuous  existence  in  Marietta  since  1805, 
or  even  from  181 5,  and  none  has  equaled  it  in  growth 
and  numbers.  At  present  the  membership  of  this 
Clunxh  in  the  city  is  nnich  larger  than  that  of  any 
other,  without  counting  the  Gennan  brethren  or  the 
smaller  bodies  of  colored  Methodists. 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  39 1 

As  preachers,  the  Marietta  societies  have  had  some 
of  the  able  and  distinguished  men  of  the  Church. 
Among  these  were  Jacob  and  David  Young,  the  fa- 
mous Peter  Cartwright,  Thomas  A.  Morris,  Frederick- 
Merrick,  D.  H.  Moore,  Earl  Cranston,  A.  C.  Hirst, 
and  James  Kendall.  The  district  generally  has  been 
strongly  manned.  Chief  among  presiding  elders,  prob- 
ably, are  Bishop  S.  M.  Merrill  and  Brother  Kendall — 
two  among  the  profoundest  minds  given  to  the  Church 
by  Ohio  ]\Iethodism — the  latter,  in  my  estimation,  one 
of  its  greatest  preachers. 

Down  to  1804,  T^Iarietta  was  in  the  Baltimore  Con- 
ference; thence,  to  1813,  in  the  Western;  and  since 
that  year,  in  the  Ohio.  Until  1821,  when  it  first  be- 
came a  "station,"  the  society  was  in  a  circuit.  In 
1824  it  went  back  to  that  relation,  so  continuing  till 
1835.  The  city  was  in  the  Pittsburg  District  down  to 
1804,  when  it  was  named  the  Ohio.  This  lasted  till 
1809.  Then  it  was  called  the  Muskingum  District; 
but  in  1824,  the  Scioto;  the  next  year,  the  Kanawha; 
in  1826,  the  Lancaster,  which  name  it  held  until  1833, 
when  it  took  that  of  Zanesville,  to  be  followed  in  1836 
by  Marietta,  ever  since  retained.  The  name  of  the 
circuit,  in  1800,  was  Muskingum  and  Hocking;  in 
1802,  Little  Kanawha  and  Muskingum;  in  1805,  Mus- 
kingum and  Kanawha;  in  1807,  Muskingum;  in  1808, 
Muskingum  and  Kanawha;  in  1809,  Marietta,  which 
it  retained  until  the  city  work  was  permanently  con- 
stituted a  station  by  that  designation,  in  1835.  Whit- 
ney Chapel  was  a  station  from  the  first. 

George  Danker,  a  converted  Lutheran  minister, 
preached   to  the   Germans   in   Marietta   during   1838. 


392  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Some  of  the  people  being  also  ''born  again,"  wished 
prayer-meetings  to  be  held.  Others  opposed  this,  and 
so  the  congregation  divided.  Brother  Danker  then 
began  to  preach  to  such  as  went  with  him  in  the  old 
Methodist  church  on  Second  Street.  That  was  the  be- 
ginning of  German  Methodism  in  this  city.  At  its  ses- 
sion in  1839,  the  Pittsburg  Conference  appointed  Carl 
Best  to  the  Monroe  and  Marietta  "Mission."  At  the 
second  quarterly-meeting  of  that  year,  George  Danker 
and  E.  H.  Bahrenburg  were  made  local  preachers. 
Henry  Koenige  was  sent  to  Marietta  in  1840.  His 
labors  were  greatly  blessed,  and  in  the  spring  of  1841 
the  society  bought  the  house  in  which  they  had  wor- 
shiped, and  German  Methodism  in  the  city  had  a  home. 
Among  its  first  members  were  William  Klintworth, 
E.  H.  Bahrenburg,  John  Olhafer,  George  Helweg, 
Peter  Wilkens,  C.  Otten,  C.  Duden,  J.  Link,  J.  Sil- 
chen,  and  John  Fisher.  The  society  not  only  sustained 
itself,  but  grew.  In  1874  a  lot  was  bought  for  the 
erection  of  a  new  church,  and  in  1876,  during  the  pas- 
torate of  J.  W.  Fishbach,  it  was  built.  The  father  of 
German  Methodism,  Dr.  William  Nast,  and  Henry 
Liebhart,  D.  D.,  conducted  the  dedicatory  services. 
The  house  is  of  brick,  admirably  located,  and  one  of 
the  most  sightly  church-buildings  of  the  city.  With 
the  lot,  it  cost  $7,300.  The  societv  is  religiously  active, 
and  in  its  membership  includes,  as  do  the  two  other 
charges,  some  of  the  best  citizens  and  business  men 
of  Marietta.  Each  of  the  Methodist  Churches  of  the 
town  has  a  parsonage. 

The  numerical  strength  of  the  three  societies  is  as 
follows:  First  Church,  members,  500;  Sunday-school, 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  393 

450;  Epworth  League,  125;  Junior  League,  75.  Gil- 
man  Avenue,  members,  360;  Sunday-school,  225;  Ep- 
worth League,  120;  Junior  League,  50.  German 
Church,  members,  185;  Sunday-school,  165;  Epworth 
League,  26. 

Their  respective  pastors  are,  W.  V.  Dick,  N.  D. 
Creamer,  and  Henry  Jend.  I  only  add,  that  in  the 
county,  according  to  the  census  of  1890,  Methodists 
outnumbered  any  other  Protestant  body  three  to  one, 
and  stood  to  Catholics  as  3,275  to  1,835. 

Hiram  L.  Stblev. 

METHODISM  IN  MARION. 

The  growth  of  Methodism  in  Alarion,  beginning 
in  the  organization  of  a  class  of  five  members  in  the 
spring  of  1825,  has  been  by  sudden  and  large  acces- 
sions, rather  than  by  a  gradual  process.  In  1826,  Ma- 
rion Circuit  was  established,  with  James  Gilruth  as 
preacher  in  charge.  Seven  appointments  were  in- 
cluded in  this  circuit;  viz.,  Marion,  Caledonia,  Bucy- 
rus,  Little  Sandusky,  Wyandot,  Rawle's  Corners,  and 
Idleman's,  the  last  being  six  miles  south  of  Marion, 
thus  covering  a  large  part  of  what  is  now  Marion, 
Crawford,  and  Wyandot  Counties.  In  1834.  the  first 
"meeting-house"  of  this  Alethodist  Episcopal  society 
was  completed.  It  was  a  plain  and  unpretentious 
structure  of  undressed  stone,  twenty-four  feet  wide 
and  thirty-six  feet  long,  and  it  contained  but  one  room. 
It  stood  east  of  State  Street,  and  near  the  entrance  of 
the  old,  and  now  disused,  burying-ground  which  lies 
north  of  the  "Big  Four"  and  Erie  Railway  stations. 
\\niile  the  society  worshi])cd  in  this  modest  little  build- 


394  OHIO   METHODISM. 

ing,  it  was  refreshed  and  greatly  augmented  by  a 
memorable  revival  under  the  pastorate  of  Henry  E. 
Pilcher,  and  so  large  and  so  important  were  the  acces- 
sions that  Marion  was  made  a  station  in  the  fall  of 
1843,  with  Mr.  Pilcher  as  its  first  stationed  minister. 
In  the  year  1845  the  Centenary  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  situated  at  the  corner  of  East  and  North 
Streets  (now  State  and  Mill  Streets),  was  completed; 
and  in  the  same  year  the  Annual  Conference  held  its 
sessions  there.  Within  a  few  years  the  construction 
of  the  Bellefontaine  &  Indiana  Railroad  along  North 
Street  made  it  necessary  for  the  society  again  to 
change  its  location,  and  a  site  at  the  southeast  corner 
of  East  and  Center  Streets  (now  State  and  Center), 
was  purchased.  The  old  Centenary  church  was 
henceforth  devoted  to  manufacturing  purposes,  and, 
after  serving  the  purposes  of  the  Huber  Manufacturing 
Company  for  many  years,  its  walls  still  stand  as  a 
part  of  the  building  occupied  by  the  Automatic  Boiler 
Feeder  Company. 

A  fine  and  commodious  church  for  that  time  was 
erected  on  the  new  site  in  1854,  and  soon  there  fol- 
lowed another  gracious  revival,  under  the  labors  of 
Joseph  F.  Kennedy.  The  Church  enjoyed  great  pros- 
perity while  it  worshiped  in  this  building.  It  was  of 
sufficient  importance  to  entertain  there  two  Annual 
Conferences ;  but  the  great  landmark  in  its  history  was 
the  great  revival  of  the  year  1870,  during  the  pastorate 
of  Leroy  A.  Belt.  This  revival  spread  in  its  overflow 
to  all  the  other  denominations  of  the  town,  and  is  felt 
in  its  influences  to  this  day.  In  1887,  the  pastorate  of 
Richard  Wallace  began;  and  in  his  third  year  it  was 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  395 

decided,  on  account  of  the  growth  of  the  city  and  the 
vicinity  of  business  blocks,  to  sell  and  build  elsewhere. 
Accordingly,  the  construction  of  the  present  Epworth 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  begun  early  in  the 
year  1890.  This  name,  wliich  has  since  become  so 
common  as  to  be  almost  trite,  was  adopted  in  January, 
1890,  and  was  at  the  time  believed  by  the  Official 
Board  to  be  the  first  use  of  the  name  in  this  country 
as  a  designation  of  a  church. 

The  church  was  formally  dedicated  on  December 
27,  1 89 1,  by  Bishop  Joyce.  Brother  Wallace  con- 
tinued to  be  pastor  of  the  Church  until  the  Annual 
Conference  of  1892,  and  his  departure  was  generally 
regretted.  During  his  pastorate  the  Church  had  al- 
most doubled  in  membcrshi]:).  He  left  it  with  more 
than  five  hundred  members  in  full  connection.  His 
successor  was  John  L.  Hillman.  Tliis  was  Brother 
Hillman's  fourth  year  in  ministerial  work,  and  the  re- 
sults remarkably  justified  the  things  hoped  and  ex- 
pected of  him.  The  Church  continued  to  grow  from 
the  beginning  of  his  ministry;  but  in  his  second  year 
came  the  most  notable  revival  in  the  history  of  this 
Church.  It  began  in  January,  1894,  with  a  "pente- 
costal  service,"  conducted  by  S.  A.  Keen.  So  great 
was  the  interest  aroused  in  the  ten  days  that  Dr.  Keen 
labored  here  that  Mr.  Hillman  resolved  to  continue 
the  meetings  himself,  and  did  so  with  unabated  in- 
terest and  W'Onderful  success  for  eleven  weeks.  The 
result  of  this  revival  was  not  only  to  uplift  the  Church 
to  a  remarkable  degree,  and  to  convert  large  numbers 
who  went  to  other  Churches,  but  the  membership  of 
this  Church  was  increased  to  about  twelve  hundred 


396  OHIO  METHODISM. 

in  number,  at  which  point  it  has  been  steadily  kept 
ever  since. 

The  Sunday-school,  the  Epworth  League,  and 
other  Church  organizations,  have  kept  pace  with  the 
growth  of  the  Church.  The  Sunday-school  has  an 
enrollment  of  more  than  i,ioo,  and  an  average  attend- 
ance of  upwards  of  700.  The  adult  Bible-classes  and 
the  primary  department,  including  the  kindergarten, 
are  especially  worthy  of  study  by  Sunday-school 
workers.  W.  Z.  Davis. 

METHODISM  IN  MASSILLON. 

The  first  Methodist  positively  known  to  have  lived 
in  A/fassillon  was  James  McCoy,  who  came  to  that 
part  of  the  city,  then  known  as  Kendall,  about  the 
year  18 12.  He  was  a  tailor  by  trade,  whose  shop 
offered  a  place  where  divine  services  were  held.  Mas- 
sillon  was  not  regularly  laid  out  till  1825-6.  The  ap- 
pointment was  a  part  of  the  Ohio  Conference  for  a 
time,  and  until  1831  continued  its  connection  with 
what  was  known  as  the  Tuscarawas  class  of  the  old 
Tuscarawas  Circuit. 

Afterwards  this  appointment  became  part  of  Can- 
ton Circuit,  Pittsburg  Conference,  which  at  that  time 
contained  thirty-four  appointments,  filled  by  two 
preachers,  who  were  expected  to  preach  from  two  to 
four  sermons  every  Sunday,  besides  preaching  at  least 
once  each  week-day.  When  this  class  became  a  part 
of  the  Canton  Circuit  it  was  composed  of  only  four- 
teen members.  A  short  time  after,  it  became  necessary 
to  find  a  larger  room  than  any  hitherto  occupied,  in 
which  to  hold  services,  and  an  abandoned  brewery, 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  397 

located  in  North  Erie  Street,  was  secured.  In  icS32 
a  Sunday-school  was  organized,  which  also  met  in 
the  same  place. 

On  February  16,  1833,  the  first  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence of  which  any  record  can  be  found  was  held  in 
A'lassillon.  At  this  Conference  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed "to  secure  a  site,  and  ascertain  the  cost  of 
erecting  a  house  of  worship  in  Massillon."  This  com- 
mittee did  not  succeed  in  accomplishing  its  object; 
but  as  a  result  of  its  efforts  an  interest  was  awakened 
among  the  citizens  of  the  village,  and  they  erected  a 
building  in  East  Plum  Street,  in  which  religious  and 
other  public  meetings  w^ere  held.  The  Aiethodists  were 
glad  to  abandon  the  old  brewery  and  occupy  this  new 
place  of  worship,  where  they  remained  till  1836,  when 
they  removed  to  a  brick  building  on  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Erie  Streets,  now  known  as  Harsh's  Block, 
and  occupied  a  hall  on  the  third  floor. 

An  agreement  was  made  with  the  Masonic  Lodge 
of  Massillon,  in  1840,  to  erect  a  building  conjointly 
in  East  Charles  Street  that  would  be  suitable  for  the 
use  of  both  parties.  The  corner-stone  w^as  laid  June 
24,  1840.  The  structure  w^as  a  frame,  two  stories  above 
the  basement.  The  first  story  and  the  north  side  of 
the  basement  w^ere  used  by  the  Church,  and  the  second 
story  and  south  side  of  the  basement  w^ere  used  by 
the  Masons.  Simon  Elliott  was  the  presiding  elder, 
and  D.  R.  Haw^kins  pastor.  The  latter  gave  his  per- 
sonal attention  to  the  enterprise,  and  greatly  assisted 
in  the  consummation,  which  was  reached  in  June,  1841, 
when,  wnth  great  rejoicings,  the  edifice  was  first  oc- 
cupied.   The  seats  were  nearly  all  without  backs,  the 


398  OHIO  METHODISM. 

sermons  were  more  than  thirty  minutes  long.  The  serv- 
ices were  frequently  interrupted  by  the  remnant  of  a 
rufTfian  element  that  still  lingered  as  a  reminder  of 
frontier  life.  It  now  became  possible  to  keep  the  Sun- 
day-school actively  at  work  all  the  year,  without  the 
injurious  effects  of  fre(|ucnt  interruptions,  which,  up  to 
this  time,  seemed  unavoidable. 

The  Church  continued  to  hold  its  services  in  the 
building*  on  Charles  Street  till  i860,  when  they  dis- 
posed of  their  interests  to  the  Masons,  and  removed 
to  a  more  commodious  building. 

Under  the  ministry  of  James  White,  in  the  winter 
of  1842-3,  a  remarkable  revival  added  such  substantial 
strength  to  the  appointment  that  in  1845  Massillon 
was  detached  from  Canton  Circuit,  and  was  given  the 
dignity  of  a  station.  It  thus  became  the  first  station 
in  the  district,  and  it  has  maintained  an  honorable  place 
among  the  stations  ever  since. 

In  1848  the  General  Conference  transferred  Mas- 
sillon Station  from  the  Pittsburg  to  the  North  Ohio 
Conference.  A  retransfer  was  effected  in  1856,  and 
the  charge  remained  in  the  bounds  of  the  Pittsburg 
Conference  till  1876,  when  the  East  Ohio  Conference 
was  formed,  and  the  Ohio  Canal,  which  divides  the 
city  of  Massillon,  was  made  the  boundary  line  be- 
tween the  East  Ohio  and  North  Ohio  Conferences. 
The  church  being  located  on  ihc  east  side,  belongs  to 
the  East  Ohio  Conference. 

The  Baptist  church.,  located  on  the  corner  of  North 
and  Mill  Streets,  was  sold  at  sheriff's  sale,  March  28, 
1858,  and  was  bought  by  the  Methodists  for  $800;  but 
several  thousand  dollars  had  to  be  expended  upon  it 


MKriIODISM  IN  CITIES.  399 

before  the  place  was  lit  fur  occupancy.  The  repairs 
on  the  building  were  completed  in  i860.  The  re- 
opening services  were  conducted  by  Dr.  \.  C.  Per- 
shing. During  the  winter  of  1860-61,  a  revival  service 
of  unusual  interest  was  conducted  by  the  pastor.  A 
session  of  the  Pittsburg  Annual  Conference  was  held 
in  this  church  in  1866.  In  process  of  time  the  church- 
building  became  so  insecure  that  it  was  abandoned, 
and  the  congregation  met  in  an  edifice  used  during 
the  week-days  as  a  skating-rink. 

The  Church  w^as  not  prepared  to  l)uil(l,  yet  they 
felt  it  to  be  their  duty  to  provide  a  substantial  and 
appropriate  place  of  worship.  Accordingly,  in  Alay, 
1882,  the  property  located  on  the  corner  of  Main  and 
East  Streets  was  purchased,  and  a  subscription  w^as 
raised  amounting  to  $15,000,  when  a  building  plan 
was  accepted,  and  the  corner-stone  laid  June  y,  1884. 

The  work  on  the  building  progressed,  and  a  part 
of  it  was  completed  in  January,  1885.  As  $31,626.65 
had  been  expended  on  the  building  and  lot,  it  was 
thought  prudent  to  stop  the  w'ork  for  the  time  being, 
and  secure  more  funds.  The  lecture-room,  together 
with  class-rooms  and  parlors  which  could  be  utilized, 
afforded  a  seating  capacity  of  five  hundred.  At  this 
time  another  heavy  drain  was  made  upon  the  people 
in  the  erection  of  a  new  parsonage,  and  it  was  not 
until  the  fall  of  1887  that  efforts  were  renewed  to  raise 
the  funds  necessary  for  the  com])letion  of  the  audi- 
torium. The  work  was  continued  till  January,  1889, 
when  the  audience-room  was  furnished,  and  the  house 
was  dedicated.  The  entire  cost  of  this  property  was 
$48,950. 


400  OHIO  METHODISM. 

The  new  church  was  a  most  convenient,  tasteful, 
and  comfortable  building,  with  pipe-organ,  bell-tower, 
and  clock.  The  occupancy  of  this  commodious  house 
of  worship  was  attended  with  great  gladness  on  the 
part  of  the  congregation,  and  it  was  thought  that  at 
last  a  permanent  place  for  holding  divine  services 
had  been  provided;  but,  alas!  on  a  fateful  Friday  morn- 
ing. May  13th,  at  two  o'clock,  the  building  was  dis- 
covered to  be  on  fire,  and  in  a  very  short  time  was 
entirely  consumed.  The  pastor,  the  Rev.  A.  R.  Chap- 
man, gathered  his  official  members  together,  and  in  a 
short  time  it  was  determined  to  rebuild  on  the  same 
site.  An  additional  lot  was  purchased  adjoining  the 
east  side  of  the  one  already  owned,  and  steps  were 
immediately  taken  to  build  better  than  before.  The 
result  is  all  that  could  have  been  anticipated.  A  mas- 
sive, artistic  stone  structure  has  been  erected  as  a 
monument  to  the  faith  and  self-sacrificing  spirit  of 
the  people. 

Most  substantial  assistance  was  rendered  by  many 
of  the  citizens  of  the  place  who  were  not  connected 
with  the  Church.  Louis  K.  McClymonds,  Esq.,  of 
New  York,  placed  a  memorial  to  his  mother,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  McClymonds,  in  the  elegant  pipe-organ, 
valued  at  $6,000.  The  council  and  citizens  furnished 
a  town  clock.  The  trustees  and  Building  Committee 
spared  no  pains  to  make  the  edifice  an  up-to-date 
church  in  all  respects.  It  has  a  Sunday-school  room 
that  will  seat  between  six  hundred  and  seven  hundred. 
The  audience-room  will  seat  twelve  hundred.  Besides 
these,  there  are  ladies'  parlors,  class-rooms,  dining- 
room,  kitchen,  lavatories,  and  store-rooms.    The  audi- 


ME'lllODISM    I.\   CITIES.  4OI 

ence-rooin  is  furnished  thrcnigiioiil  in  oak,  which  gives 
it  a  very  substantial  and  tasteful  appearance.  The 
property  is  valued  at  ^80,000,  and  free  from  debt. 
The  dedicatory  services  were  held  June  23,  1895. 
There  are  few  liner  churches  in  the  United  States,  and 
it  is  sincerely  hoped  that  the  good  people  who  assemble 
here  for  worship  may  not  need  a  new  building  for 
generations  to  come!  George  B.  Smith. 

METHODISM  IN  MT.  VKRNON. 

Knox  Circuit  was  formed  in  1810.  In  1812,  in  a 
log  cabin  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Public 
Square,  the  home  of  Anthony  Banning,  the  Meth- 
odists held  service.  This  was  a  preaching-place  in  a 
large  circuit  of  many  miles.  The  next  meeting-place 
was  the  court-house,  also  on  the  Square. 

Time  came  when  the  society  must  have  a  building 
of  their  own.  This  was  erected  in  183 1.  It  was  a 
brick  structure  with  a  high  pulpit.  The  house  was 
without  one  extra  dollar's  worth  of  adornment.  The 
lot  was  sold  to  the  city  in  1852,  and  is  now  occupied 
as  a  High  School  building. 

In  185 1,  a  division  occurred  in  the  Church,  a  part 
of  the  congregation  going  to  the  Banning  Chapel, 
built  by  Rev.  Anthony  Banning,  on  Sandusky  Street, 
for  use  of  Methodists  so  long  as  thus  used.  The  Con- 
ference sent  as  pastor  Rev.  Harvey  Wilson.  It  was 
said  that  a  contention  in  the  choir  occasioned  the 
split.  The  choir  party  remained  on  the  hill,  the  anti- 
choir  going  to  the  chapel.  Both  congregations  built 
new  churches  during  the  year  1852-3.  The  two  con- 
gregations worshiped  separately  until  1865,  when  they 
26 


402  OlirO   METHOD fSM. 

united.  The  chapel  was  sold,  and  with  the  money  the 
present  parsonage  was  bought.  The  chapel  still 
stands,  near  the  cooper-shops  on  Sandusky  Street. 

Rev.  George  Elliot,  during  his  pastorate  on  Mul- 
berry Street,  died.  The  Church  built  a  home  for  his 
family.  When  they  vacated  the  house,  it  became  the 
parsonage  as  long  as  the  church  on  the  hill  was  used. 
This  house  still  stands,  104  Hamtramck  Street. 

The  Church  from  its  beginning  has  made  a  steady 
advance.  Our  worship  has  lost  the  stringent  form 
of  the  past,  and  other  things  have  changed. 

In  the  old  church  the  seats  in  the  rear  were  raised 
for  the  choir.  The  Congregational  choir  was  led  by 
a  bass-viol.  The  Methodist  choir  had  only  a  tuning- 
fork  for  getting  the  proper  pitch ;  but  even  this  simple 
instrument  disturbed  some  of  the  Methodists.  A  min- 
ister who  deemed  choirs  a  sin,  filled  the  pulpit  one  Sab- 
bath morning.  The  singers  were  ready.  He  ignored 
their  presence;  sermon  followed  prayer,  prayer  fol- 
lowed sermon.  Smce  then  his  son  has  led  the  choir, 
and  his  descendants  have  been  our  best  singers. 

Concerning  the  Sunday-school:  For  years  the 
Church  had  no  school.  The  first  school  was  begun  by 
students  from  Gambler.  When  the  church  was  built 
in  183 1,  the  first  Methodist  Episcopal  school  was  or- 
ganized. William  Burgess,  a  merchant,  was  one  of 
the  first  superintendents.  William  L.  Harris,  after- 
wards bishop,  was  an  earnest  worker  in  the  school. 
At  first  the  school  would  live  during  the  summer,  and 
die  out  in  the  winter.  Rev.  William  Sanderson  was 
chosen  superintendent.  The  school  gained  strength 
enough  to  endure  the  winter.     One  morning  found 


Mi-yrin^nisM  /y  cities.  403 

him  snow-bound  miles  away.  Rain  fell  in  torrents; 
streams  were  swollen;  dangerous  was  the  journey  for 
himself  and  horse.  He  thought  of  the  school,  his 
duty,  and  started  on  his  perilous  ride,  as  wonderful  as 
that  of  Sheridan  or  Paul  Revere.  Just  as  day  dawned 
he  rode  into  town,  weary,  wet,  and  worn.  Nine  o'clock 
found  him  at  his  post.  Sunday-school  celebrations 
were  then  held  on  the  4th  of  July.  The  school  marched 
to  some  grove,  there  to  feast  and  listen  to  speeches 
and  the  reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

(Mrs.)  C.  a.  Agnew. 

METHODISM  IN  NEWARK. 

Prior  to  1803  there  was  probably  no  preacher  who 
traveled  in  Licking  County  and  established  regular 
appointments  for  preaching.  But  as  the  circuits  were 
very  large,  and  districts  extended  over  portions  of  three 
States,  some  of  the  preachers  may  have  come  as  far  as 
Newark,  and  held  meetings  in  this  settlement.  The 
first  preaching  was  in  private  houses.  A  log  house  of 
one  room,  which  stood  on  West  Main  Street,  nearly 
opposite  present  site  of  the  High  School  building,  was 
used  for  school  and  occasionally  Church  services. 
Accommodations   were   such    as   the   times   afforded. 

The  place  of  holding  service  was  changed  to  the 
two-story  frame  building  located  in  the  middle  of  the 
street,  between  West  Main  and  Third  Street,  called 
Market  House,  the  upper  story  being  used  for  church 
and  schoolhouse.  Presbyterians  and  Methodists  held 
services  here  until  a  disagreement  occurred,  and  Meth- 
odists moved  to  the  house  of  Mrs.  Jane  Goodridge, 
where  they  held  class  and  prayer  meetings.    Not  find- 


404  OHIO  METHODISM. 

ini;-  these  (juarlers  desirable,  Air.  Goodridge  erected  a 
frame  l)uilding-  l)etween  J'lrst  and  Second  Streets,  to 
answer  a  double  purpose  of  school  and  church.  An 
improvement  was  noticeable  in  this  building — the  seats 
had  backs.     Here  the  l^^jvlscopalians  also  w^orshiped. 

From  growth  in  meni])ership  and  increasing  popu- 
lation, it  was  deemed  wise  to  erect  a  Alethodist  Epis- 
copal meeting-house.  A  conmiittee  of  three  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  preacher  in  charge,  Jacob  Hooper,  to 
see  if  ground  and  means  could  be  procured.  Accord- 
ingly, on  January  16,  1828,  a  suljscription-paper  \vas 
addressed  to  the  "generous  people  in  the  town  of  New- 
ark and  its  vicinity/'  for  the  sole  ])urpose  of  obtaining 
funds  and  materia.ls  for  l)uilding  a  brick  house  in  the 
town  of  Newark,  on  a  lot  to  l)e  obtained  from  Thomas 
Reed,  on  Fourth  Street,  a  few  rods  north  of  the  old 
burying-grounds.  Subscril:)ers'  names  were  affixed, 
some  contributing  money,  others  in  trade,  such  as 
hats,  shoes,  tinware,  leather,  tim1)er,  labor,  cabinet- 
work, etc.  The  largest  subscriptions  were  forty-five 
dollars  and  fifty  dollars. 

On  the  5th  day  of  August,  1828,  the  pastor  ap- 
pointed the  first  Official  Board  in  Newark  Methodism. 
A  fund  of  fifteen  dollars  was  necessary  to  obtain  a  deed 
for  the  lot,  which  was  made  on  the  6th  of  August,  1828, 
for  ground  bought  from  Thomas  Reed  and  wife  for  the 
consideration  of  thirty  dollars.  This  location  was  on 
adjoining  lot,  just  south  of  the  present  site.  The  church 
was  inclosed,  and  used  without  plaster  for  two  years, 
and  seated  with  rough  boards.  In  July.  1830,  a  collec- 
tion was  raised  to  be  appropriated  toward  plastering 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  405 

the  Methodist  Episcopal  meeting-house;  fifteen  dollars 
and  seventy  cents  was  the  reciiiired  amount. 

During"  the  winter  of  1833,  a  wonderful  revival, 
which  lasted  eighteen  days,  was  held  in  the  church, 
and  conducted  by  Revs.  II.  S.  Farnandis,  L.  L.  Ham- 
line,  and  S.  TI.  Holland.  The  Holy  Spirit  came  in 
])Ower  upon  the  people.  Such  was  the  interest  thai  at 
five  o'clock  A.  M.  meetin^^s  were  held,  sometimes  at 
private  houses,  and  at  other  times  in  the  church,  Mid- 
nig-ht  frequently  saw  the  interested  ones  returning 
home.  Often,  after  retiring,  the  Spirit  would  so 
quicken  some  heart  that  neighbors  w^ould  be  called 
and  prater-meetings  held.  Three  hundred  souls  were 
led  from  darkness  into  light,  and  made  happy  in  the 
Redeemer's  love. 

In  1834  the  first  permanent  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  in  Newark  was  completed,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500. 
In  1837,  Jacob  Barrick  came  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Newark  wnth  a  local  preacher's  license.  Newark  Cir- 
cuit now  consisted  of  eight  appointments,  seven  Sun- 
day-schools, and  four  hundred  and  twenty-five 
scholars. 

In  1840,  Methodism  in  Newark  had  a  membership 
sufficiently  large  to  justify  a  change  from  circuit  to 
station;  accordingly  this  independence  w^as  assumed, 
and  Cyrus  Brooks  was  the  first  regular  pastor. 

During  the  year  1847,  a  division  occurred  in  the 
Church,  the  membership  being  too  large  for  the  ac- 
commodations. A  lot,  upon  which  stood  a  frame 
building,  formerly  designed  as  Universalist  Church, 
and  situated  upon  East  Main  Street,  w^as  purchased 


4o6  OHIO  METHODISM. 

for  eight  hundred  dollars.  By  September,  1848,  this 
church  was  placed  in  readiness  for  service,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  $3,000,  and  it  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
Almig-hty  God  one  week  before  the  session  of  the  Ohio 
Annual  Conference,  which  was  to  convene  in  that 
church  September  27th.  This  church  was  known  as 
the  Eastern  Charge.  The  two  distinct  Methodist 
Churches  existed  for  sixteen  years,  although  an  at- 
tempt was  made  in  1859  to  reunite. 

In  1864  the  final  union  of  the  two  congregations 
was  effected,  and  services  w^ere  held  at  the  Eastern 
Charge  for  two  years.  During  this  time  subscriptions 
were  solicited  preparatory  to  erecting  a  larger  build- 
ing. A  sale  was  made  of  the  church  pro])erty,  and  a 
new  lot  purchased.  The  foundation  for  the  church 
was  laid  in  1866,  and  the  building  commenced  in  1867. 
The  basement  was  completed  in  November,  1868,  and 
the  congregation  came  to  their  new  church  home.  On 
March  29,  1874,  the  hearts  of  the  people  were  glad- 
dened by  the  completion  of  the  auditorium,  and  ]\Ieth- 
odism  could  again  utter  praise,  rejoice,  and  be  glad. 
The  Church  membership  was  five  hundred  and  twenty- 
nine.  During  that  quarter  there  were  two  hundred 
applicants  for  membership.  The  church  property  was 
valued  at  $40,000.  • 

East  Newark  had  contributed  liberally  to  the  sup- 
port of  IMethodism,  but  an  opening  seemed  provident 
for  the  organization  of  the  Second  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  that  part  of  the  city.  For  some  time, 
Sabbath-school  and  services  had  been  held  in  Epis- 
copal Chapel.  In  the  spring  of  1889  this  society  was 
organized,  and  a  lot  purchased  on  the  corner  of  East 


METHODISM   IN   CITIES.  407 

Main  and  Cedar  Streets.  A  chapel  was  there  erected, 
and  dedicated  in  March,  1890,  by  President  J.  W. 
Bashford,  of  Delaware,  Ohio. 

In  1897  the  two  Methodist  Churches  had  1,063 
members,  and  584  scholars  in  the  Sunday-school. 

Lucy  M.  Connel. 

METHODISM  IN  NORWALK. 

In  January,  1818,  Alfred  Brunson  \vas  the  first  itin- 
erant who  visited  Norwalk.  The  first  place  in  the 
vicinity  wdiere  Methodist  services  were  held  was  at  the 
home  of  Hanson  Reed^  two  miles  south  of  the  village, 
and  the  first  Methodist  Sunday-school  was  organized 
there  in  1823.  The  organization  of  the  first  Methodist 
society  in  the  village  of  Norwalk  was  in  1825;  it  had 
seven  members.  In  connection  w'ith  early  Methodism 
in  Norwalk  that  famous  old  institution  of  learning — 
Norwalk  Seminary — stands  out  like  a  great  arm  of 
power.  Jonathan  Edwards  Chaplin  was  one  of  its  first 
principals,  and  after  him  came  Edward  Thomson,  Hol- 
den  Dwight,  Alexander  Nelson,  and  others.  This 
seminary  w^as  a  fountain  of  sanctified  learning,  exert- 
ing a  healthful  religious  influence  in  the  community, 
and  out  from  it  there  went  many  strong  recruits  into 
the  holy  ministry. 

In  1832-3,  H.  O.  Sheldon  and  Edward  Thomson 
were  the  circuit  preachers.  In  1834,  the  first  Meth- 
odist church-building  in  Norwalk  was  erected  on 
Seminary  Street,  and  it  was  used  continuously  until 
1856.  This  building  still  remains,  and  is  now  occa- 
sionally used  for  Church  services  by  the  Adventists. 

In  1853  it  was  resolved  to  build  a  new  church.     A 


4o8  OHIO  METHODISM^ 

lot,  corner  of  Main  Street  and  Benedict  Avenue,  had 
been  dedicated  by  Elisha  Whittlesey,  Esq.,  for  Church 
purposes,  and  this  was  at  once  taken  possession  of  by 
the  Board  of  Trustees.  This  second  building  was  dedi- 
cated October  26,  1856,  by  Rev.  Edward  Thomson. 
It  was  estimated  to  be  worth  twelve  thousand  dollars, 
and  was  used  until  sold  and  torn  down  in  April,  1893, 
when  a  most  pathetic  farewell  to  it  was  said. 

At  this  time,  having  no  Church  home,  Methodist 
altars  were  set  up  in  old  Whittlesey  Hall,  and  active 
preparations  were  begun  for  the  erection  of  a  church 
edifice,  commodious  and  modern,  that  should  meet  the 
growing  needs  of  Norwalk  Methodism,  which  had 
developed  from  the  original  class  of  seven,  in  1825,  to 
five  hundred  and  fifty  members  in  1893,  with  a  Sunday- 
school  and  other  organizations  as  powerful  auxiliaries. 

During  1895-6  the  present  new  church-building, 
of  which  a  cut  is  herewith  presented,  was  erected,  at 
a  cost  of  $40,000.  It  was  dedicated  on  February  14, 
1897,  by  Rev.  Dr.  D.  H.  Moore,  of  Cincinnati.  As 
yet  the  interior  of  the  main  auditorium  is  not  finished; 
but  the  Sunday-school  department,  and  basement  par- 
lors, choir-room,  dining-rooms,  kitchen,  and  lavatories, 
are  complete,  with  the  most  modern  equipment.  The 
Sunday-school  room  is  semicircular  in  form,  with 
eighteen  class-rooms,  auditorium,  and  library.  The 
Sunday-school  auditorium  is  now  used  for  all  regular 
Church  services,  and  the  seating  capacity  is  eight  hun- 
dred. This  magnificent  edifice  is  now  regarded  by 
many  as  the  finest  church-building  within  the  boun- 
daries of  the  North  Ohio  Conference,  and  it  is  fitting 
that  it  is  so.     It  stands,  as  a  monument  to  the  steady, 


METHODISM  IX  CITIES. 


409 


4IO  OHIO   METHODISM. 

onward  progress  of  Metliodisiii  in  the  heart  of  the 
Western  Reserve,  the  seat  of  Norwalk  Seminary,  and 
the  early  home  of  Finley,  Sheldon,  ChapHn,  and  Bish- 
ops Thomson  and  Harris.  The  First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  society  is  in  this  year,  1898,  the  largest 
Protestant  organization  in  Norwalk,  liaving  six  hun- 
dred and  thirty  members.  Ed.  L.  Young. 

METHODISM  IN  PAINEvSVILLE. 

Painesville  was  first  settled  in  1800.  The  popula- 
tion now  numbers  between  five  and  six  thousand.  The 
first  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  1820,  and  services 
were  held  in  a  schoolhouse.  The  first  church-building 
was  erected  in  1820.  The  second  church-building  was 
erected  in  1844,  and  was  dedicated  free  of  debt.  The 
building  still  stands  on  the  same  lot,  now  used  as  a 
dwelling-house.  The  present  elegant  church-building 
was  begun  in  1872,  and  the  last  dollar  of  debt  was  paid 
in  1897.  The  membership  of  the  Church  is  a  little 
over  three  hundred.  It  ranks  second  or  third  in  mem- 
bership of  the  Churches  of  this  place.  All  the  depart- 
ments of  the  Church  are  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

R.  M.  Freshwater. 

METHODISM  IN  PORTSMOUTH. 

Portsmouth,  according  to  James  Keyes,  was  laid 
out  in  1803  by  Henry  Massie.  On  the  bank  of  the 
Scioto  is  an  old  stone  house,  the  home  of  Philip 
Moore,  where  the  first  Methodist  class  of  Portsmouth 
was  formed.  There  the  great  lights  of  the  Church 
preached  in  the  mighty  days  of  early  Methodism. 
Those  walls  have  echoed  to  the  voice  of  Asbury  and 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  4^  ^ 

McKendree.  At  a  quartcrly-mccling  held  there  in 
1813,  Henry  B.  Bascom  received  his  hcense  and 
preached  his  first  sermon.  The  standi  old  house 
seems  well  preserved,  and  looks  good  for  another  hun- 
dred years.  Henry  Smith  was  the  first  itinerant, 
Scioto  the  first  circuit,  and  the  old  stone  house  the 
first  preaching-place  in  this  vicinity. 

Scioto  Circuit  first  appears  in  the  Alinutes  in  1804. 
In  1805  the  Ohio  District  was  formed,  and  of  this  dis- 
trict the  Scioto  Circuit  formed  a  part.  The  same  year 
(1805)  the  illustrious  Peter  Cartwright  was  assistant 
preacher  on  this  circuit.  Scioto  Circuit  remained  in 
the  Ohio  District  until  its  division,  in  1809,  into  the 
]\Iuskingum  and  Miami  Districts,  into  the  latter  of 
which  the  circuit  then  ])assed.  This  was  a  large  district, 
extending  from  Cincinnati,  up  via  Yellow  Springs, 
to  Chillicothe ;  thence,  via  Lancaster,  to  St.  Clairsville, 
near  Wheeling,  over  into  West  Virginia,  where  it  in- 
cluded the  Kanawha  and  Big  Sandy  territory;  then 
back  again  to  this  side,  and  down  the  river  to  Cincin- 
nati. This  one  district  contained  then  as  much  as  two 
Conferences  now;  but  we  can  see  that  Methodism  was 
narrowing  down,  and  getting  the  work  into  compacter 
form.  Eleven  weeks  were  required  to  ride  round  this 
spacious  district.  Now  it  could  be  crossed  in  the  frac- 
tion of  a  day. 

Tn  1 81 3,  Miami  District  was  cut  into  Scioto  and 
[Miami  Districts,  and  the  old  Scioto  Circuit  was  itself 
divided,  and  Salt  Creek  Circuit  formed.  A  part  of  the 
society  at  Philip  Moore's  fell  into  Salt  Creek  Circuit. 
The  same  year  a  new  society  was  formed  here.  The 
old  frame  court-house,  completed  in   18 17,  stood  on 


412  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Market  Street,  between  Front  and  Second.  This  was 
for  some  years  the  preaching-place  for  all  denomina- 
tions. The  first  circuit  preacher  visiting  Portsmouth 
was  Nelson  Spring.  He  came  in  1814.  In  1814, 
united  Methodism  was  able  to  show  a  grand  total  of 
seven  members.  It  would  appear  that  Methodism 
was  the  first  Church  organized  here.  Our  Presby- 
terian and  Episcopalian  brethren  came  four  and  six 
years  after,  respectively. 

After  some  years  of  worship  in  the  old  court-house, 
the  society  first  purchased  a  church  of  their  own.  This 
was  the  first  Church  property  held  by  any  denomi- 
nation. It  stood  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Market, 
and  cost  $i,too.  It  was  heated  by  two  old-fashioned 
fire-places,  one  on  each  side.  Its  chandeliers  were  tal- 
low candles,  held  in  tin  candle-sticks  on  the  walls.  The 
entire  Oflicial  Board  constituted  the  sexton,  and  ''took 
turns"  in  sweeping  and  building  the  fires.  Then  it 
meant  much  to  be  an  official  member.  In  1821,  John 
McDowell,  of  blessed  memory,  was  made  class-leader, 
and  the  little  society  had  grown  in  seven  years  to  sixty. 
They  continued  in  this  first  room  until  1834. 

During  the  pastorate  of  George  C.  Crum,  a  site 
was  purchased  on  Second  Street,  and  a  new  church 
erected.  This  "new  church"  was  "old  Bigelow/'  a 
church  destined  to  quite  a  remarkable  history.  It  was 
40  by  60  feet,  and  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $2,700.  Great 
difficulties  were  encountered  in  securing  this  appar- 
ently meager  sum.  Men  gave  labor,  teamsters  hauled, 
and  it  was  finally  dedicated  by  James  B.  Finley.  Dur- 
ing its  stay  in  this  old  church,  Methodism  made  rapid 
strides,  keeping  pace  with  the  growth  of  the  city. 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  413 

Methodism  continued  to  grow  until  the  ori,c;inal 
class  of  seven  had  hecome  loo  numercnis  for  llie  room 
on  Second  Street,  and  a  (h vision  was  made.  In  1S5.V 
Rev.  R.  ().  Spencer  donated  a  XoV  on  Seventli,  near 
ChilHcothe,  where  a  frame  l)uil(hni^,  now  known  as 
Allen  Chapel,  was  erected.  Part  of  the  congrei^ation 
of  old  Bigelow  w^ent  out  to  form  Spencer  Chapel.  This 
branch  was  prosperous,  and  grew  into  our  ])rcsent 
Sixth  Street  Charge. 

The  enlarging  Churcli  needed  enlarged  facilities, 
and  by  ICS58  it  became  a])parent  tliat  a  larger  structure 
must  be  provided.  Ihe  ])resent  site  was  accordingly 
purchased,  and  the  church  erected.  For  thirty-four 
years  the  Bigelow  society  has  dwelt  prosperously 
within  these  walls. 

The  three  Methodist  Cluuxdies  in  this  city  now 
(1897)  number  1,337  members.  1'rul\',  the  Lord  has 
blessed  the  work  of  the  Church.      B.  R.  AIcElrov. 

METHODISM   IN   RAVENNA. 

"Father  Shewel,"  a  faithful  old  pioneer  and  local 
preacher,  living  in  Rootstown,  formed  numerous 
Methodist  classes  in  l^^asiern  Ohio.  During  the  sum- 
mer of  1814  he  established  an  aj^pointment  for  preach- 
ing in  the  western  part  of  the  town  of  Ravenna,  about 
one  mile  from  the  present  village.  Here  he  formed  a 
class  of  seven  members.  Ravenna  proper  did  not  have 
regular  preaching  until  1825.  Thus,  for  some  six  years 
previous  to  the  year  183 1  it  was  favored,  in  addition 
to  other  Church  ])rivileges,  with  monthly  preaching 
by  Methodist  itinerants.  On  one  of  those  occasions — 
Sunday,  ^larch   13,   183 1 — the  preacher  invited  those 


414  OHIO  METHODISM. 

of  the  cong-regation  who  felt  so  disposed  to  tarry  at 
the  close  of  the  service  for  class.  Five  responded,  and 
gave  him  their  names.  Two  weeks  from  this  date,  in 
a  log  schoolhouse  some  two  miles  north  of  this  vil- 
lage, these,  members,  together  with  three  others,  were 
fully  organized  into  a  Church. 

Ravenna,  at  the  time  of  this  organization,  was 
within  the  boundaries  of  the  Ohio  District.  The  meet- 
ings of  the  society  were  continued  in  the  log  school- 
house  during  the  spring  and  sunmier  of  that  year. 
Early  in  September  they  were  removed  to  the  brick 
schoolhouse  in  the  village.  On  Sunday,  September 
i8th,same  year  (1831),  a  Sunday-school  was  organized. 
The  society  continued  to  occupy  the  brick  schoolhouse 
for  their  place  of  worship  until  the  completion  of  their 
first  meeting-house,  which  was  dedicated  in  December, 
1832,  less  than  two  years  from  that  little  band  of  eight 
in  that  rural  retreat,  the  country  log  schoolhouse.  It 
was  a  good,  substantial  frame  building.  In  1856  it 
was  removed,  to  give  place  to  one  of  larger  dimensions. 
The  fine  brick  building  we  now  occupy  was  dedicated 
by  Bishop  Simpson  on  January  30,  1857. 

The  Centennial  year  of  Methodism,  1839,  was  dul\- 
observed  by  us,  in  common  with  Methodists  all 
through  the  country.  In  July,  1857,  the  Erie  Confer- 
ence held  its  session  in  this  place.  Bishop  Scott  pre- 
siding. 

In  1873  was  inaugurated  the  "Woman's  Temper- 
ance Crusaders,"  also  called  "The  Praying  Band." 
Here,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Woodbridge  took  the  lead.  Ra- 
venna was  her  home.  Ere  she  died,  she  became  a 
power  in  the  temperance  cause,  on  both  sides  of  the 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  415 

ocean,  as  a  co-worker  with   Frances  E.  Willard  and 
Lady  Henry  Somerset. 

Quite  extensive  repairs  were  made  to  our  Church 
property  in  1896.  The  old  steeple  was  taken  down, 
and  a  new  one  put  up.  x\  room  was  excavated  under 
the  church  for  a  furnace,  and  a  furnace  put  in.  The 
lot  wa-s  graded,  the  church  and  parsonage  were 
painted,  and  a  new  carpet  laid  down  in  the  church. 
Our  congregations  and  our  Church  property  are  prob- 
ably on  a  par  with  those  of  our  nciic^hbors,  with  whom 
we  have  cordial  intercourse.  A.  !>.  Griffin. 

METHODISM  IN  SANDUSKY. 

The  introduction  of  ^Methodism  into  the  vicinity 
of  Sandusky  was  on  this  wnse:  In  the  month  of  Oc- 
tober-, 181 1,  William  Gurley,  a  native  of  Ireland,  ar- 
rived, with  a  large  company  of  other  innnigrants,  at  a 
spot  named  Bloomingville,  in  Huron  (now  Erie) 
County,  Ohio,  seven  miles  south  of  Sandusky.  Will- 
iam Gurley  preached  in  the  log  schoolhouse  on  the 
Sunday  after  his  arrival,  and  at  the  close  organized  a 
class  of  about  fifteen  or  twenty  members.  This  was 
the  first  religious  service  held  on  the  Reserve  west 
of  Cleveland,  and  the  first  religious  organization  of 
any  kind  in  that  part  of  the  State.  That  society,  and 
the  Perkins  class,  organized  in  1815,  liave  had  a  prac- 
tically unbroken  history  from  that  date  to  the  present. 

In  1817,  J.  B.  Finley,  presiding  elder,  sent  the  Rev. 
Alfred  Brunson,  as  a  supply,  to  form  the  Huron  Cir- 
cuit. Brunson  was  then  with  his  family  in  Portage 
County.     Owing  to  the  fact  that  his  wife  was  obliged 


4l6  OHIO   METHODISM. 

to  spin  the  wool  and  flax,  weave  the  cloth,  and  then 
make  his  garments,  he  was  not  in  condition  to  leave 
home  until  January,  1818.  After  various  thrilling  ex- 
periences and  hardships  he  reached  Portland,  now 
Sandusky,  early  in  the  month  of  February,  1818.  He 
preached  on  Sunday,  in  a  cooper-shop  owned  by  a 
Air.  Clemens,  and  this  point  became  a  regular  ap- 
pointment on  the  Huron  Circuit.  Services  were  held 
with  more  or  less  regularity  in  private  houses  for  six 
years.  From  1824,  for  five  or  six  years,  services  were 
held  in  the  schoolhouse  fronting  on  Columbus  Ave- 
nue, at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  present  Sloane 
lUock.  True  Pattee  was  the  preacher  in  charge  in 
1824,  and  James  Mclntyre  also  served  during  this 
schoolhouse  period. 

In  1828  a  petition  was  forwarded  to  the  bishop  pre- 
siding in  the  Annual  Conference  for  a  preacher  to  be 
sent  to  Sandusky  as  a  station,  and  not  as  an  appoint- 
ment on  a  large  circuit.  This  petition  had  the  desired 
result,  and  John  Janes  was  appointed  to  Sandusky  in 
T828. 

Mr.  Janes  agitated  the  matter  of  a  church-building, 
and  prepared  the  way.  His  successor  succeeded  in 
completing  the  building,  wliich  was  dedicated  in  1830. 
The  Methodist  Episcopal  church-building  therefore 
preceded  any  other  church-building  by  five  years,  and 
the  organization  of  a  Methodist  society  preceded  that 
of  any  other  denomination.  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
society  is  now  occupying  the  fourth  structure  it  has 
erected  for  its  use  as  a  place  of  worship. 

The  present   church-building  was   erected   in   the 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  417 

years  1872-74.  In  1897  the  building  was  thoroughly 
repaired,  making  it  the  handsomest  audience  and  Sun- 
day-school room  in  the  city. 

In  addition  to  these  four  church-buildings,  two 
others  have  been  built  by  Methodists  who  separated 
from  the  parent  society.  In  the  year  1835  the  "Beatty 
secession"  occurred,  caused  by  the  anti-slavery  agita- 
tion, aggravated  by  some  personal  difficulties,  when 
a  large  number  withdrew  from  the  Church.  They 
erected  a  large  stone  building  immediately  to  the 
north  of  the  little  frame  church.  It  was  called  the 
''Beatty  Church"  for  a  long  time,  because  of  the 
prominence  of  Mr.  John  Beatty,  one  of  the  prime 
movers.  At  a  later  date  the  society  became  a  part  of 
the  "Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection."  The  society 
ultimately  disbanded,  some  returning  to  the  mother 
Church,  others  scattering  to  various  other  Churches. 

In  1853,  Philander  Gregg  led  oR  a  faction  on  the 
question  of  instrumental  music,  and  a  number  who 
were  opposed  to  the  use  of  instrumental  music  in  pub- 
lic worship  withdrew  with  Mr.  Gregg,  and  organized 
the  ''Second  Methodist  Episcopal  Church."  It  lived 
through  two  pastorates;  but  in  1855  the  society  dis- 
banded, and  the  members  principally  returned  to  the 
mother  Church.  The  church-building  was  erected 
on  Decatur  Street,  between  Washington  and  Adams 
Streets,  and  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  colored 
Baptist  society. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  society  has  had 
therefore  a  ]:)ractically  unbroken  history  from  the  year 
i8t8,  or  a  period  of  eighty  years. 

The  Church  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  fourth 
27 


4l8  OHIO  METHODISM. 

parsonage  in  its  history.  The  first,  a  frame  building 
on  Fulton  Street;  the  second,  a  brick  on  Adams  Street, 
between  Hancock  and  Franklin  Streets;  the  third,  on 
Washington  Street,  adjoining  the  church;  the  fourth, 
325  Decatur  Street,  purchased  on  April  20,  1895,  a 
connnodious  and  handsome  dwelling. 

The  Sandusky  City  Mission,  for  German  Alcth- 
odism,  was  authorized  by  the  Ohio  Conference,  held  at 
Chillicothe,  Ohio,  September  25,  1850.  The  first  mis- 
sionary was  the  Rev.  E.  Riemenschneider,  who  was 
sent  out  in  1841  to  the  North  Ohio  mission,  which 
covered  the  ground  from  Marietta  to  Lake  Erie. 

The  first  church  was  built  in  1852.  Services  were 
held  previously  to  that  in  the  "German  Settlement," 
in  the  house  of  J.  Fisher.  The  mission  extended  from 
Thomson,  Seneca  County,  to  Amherst,  Lorain  County, 
and  LaCarne,  Ottawa  County.  The  first  minister  sta- 
tioned in  Sandusky  was  Rev.  G.  A.  Renter,  1850-51. 
When  the  mission  was  organized  there  were  twenty- 
one  families.  Of  these,  two  families  are  still  living. 
Their  church-building,  located  on  the  West  Park,  was 
moved  in  1880  to  a  lot  on  Jefferson  Street,  between 
Columbus  Avenue  and  Jackson  Street.  In  1896  their 
church  and  lot  on  Jefiferson  Street  were  sold  to  the 
German  Lutherans,  and  a  new  church-building,  and 
later  a  parsonage,  were  erected  at  the  corner  of  Tyler 
and  Shelby  Streets. 

The  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  or- 
ganized in  1879,  the  Rev.  George  Stevens  pastor. 
They  erected  a  neat  frame  building  on  Neill  Street, 
which  is  still  occupied  by  them  as  a  place  of  worship. 

L.  K.  Warner. 


METHODISM   IN  CITIES.  419 

METHODISM  IN  SIDNEY. 

Ill  the  autuinu  of  1824  a  report  came  to  the  ears 
of  Brother  Joel  l^Vankeberger  that  a  Methodist 
preaclier  was  in  town,  and  had  "put  up"  at  Ilinkle's 
tavern.  He  hastened  to  his  home,  and  communicated 
the  joyful  news  to  his  family;  then,  hastily  laying  aside 
his  work-day  attire,  he  repaired  to  the  tavern.  He 
found  the  preacher,  who  was  on  his  way  to  Confer- 
ence, and  told  him  he  must  come  and  stop  with  him. 
A  member  of  the  Frankeberger  family  then  conducted 
him  to  their  home,  wdiile  Brother  Frankeberger  hur- 
ried from  house  to  house  to  notify  the  community 
that  he  had  a  preacher  who  would  speak  at  his  house 
that  night.  This  w^as  the  first  Methodist  sermon  ever 
preached  in  Sidney,  and  the  preacher  w^as  Levi  White. 
A  class  of  eight  was  then  formed.  Sidney  was  then 
in  the  North  OhiOi  Conference,  and  was  near  the  center 
of  Bellefontaine  Circuit,  which  included  Bellefontaine, 
Sidney,  West  Liberty,  and  Westville,  with  all  the  inter- 
vening territory.  Rev.  David  Young  was  presiding 
elder.  There  was  no  meeting-house  in  Sidney  until 
1831 ;  but  meanwhile,  services  were  held  in  the  summer 
under  an  old  elm-tree  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and 
in  the  winter  in  the  house  of  Brother  Frankeberger. 
The  front  room  was  constructed  on  purpose  for  hold- 
ing meetings.  A  half  window  was  placed  on  the  north 
wall  at  a  suitable  height  for  the  minister  to  use  its  sill 
for  his  Bible  and  hymn-book.  For  many  years  after 
the  building  of  the  Second  Methodist  church,  it  was 
still  held  as  a  class-room.  As  long  as  the  circuit  was 
so  large,  services  were  held  but  once  in  four  weeks. 


420  OHIO  METHODISM. 

When  the  quarterly-meetings  were  held,  the  people 
came  for  many  miles  around.  At  the  close  of  the 
Saturday  afternoon  service  the  preacher  would  say, 
''Let  all  the  other  societies  stand  up."  The  Sidney 
members  then  hastened  to  invite  them  to  their  homes; 
often  as  many  as  fifty  were  thus  provided  for  over  the 
Sabbath. 

At  a  quarterly-meeting  held  at  Bellefontaine  in 
1827,  while  James  B.  Finley  was  presiding  elder,  and 
Joshua  Boucher  was  circuit  preacher,  a  committee  of 
three  were  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  practicability 
of  building  a  meeting-house  in  Sidney.  This  com- 
mittee did  not  report  until  January  21,  1829,  when  they 
announced  that  they  had  purchased  a  lot  for  the 
church,  at  a  cost  of  sixteen  dollars.  The  building  was 
a  free-will  offering;  some  giving  material  and  others 
labor.  The  second  church  stood  on  the  corner  where 
the  Baptist  church   now   stands.     It  was   erected  in 

1838. 

From  the  beginning  the  Church  grew  steadily  and 
rapidly,  when  we  consider  the  growth  of  the  town, 
and  that  there  were  several  other  denominations  hold- 
ing services  here.  In  1841  we  find  on  the  Church 
record  one  hundred  and  sixty-two  names.  In  1843, 
two  hundred  and  fifty-four. 

At  a  meeting  held  August  9,  1843,  ^  resolution 
was  read,  the  object  of  which  was  to  take  the  sense 
of  the  meeting  in  reference  to  making  Sidney  a  sta- 
tion. The  majority  voted  for  it,  and  the  new  Confer- 
ence year  brought  Samuel  Lynch  as  pastor. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  officiary  of  Sidney  Station, 
held  at  the  meeting-house  September,  1847,  ^^^^  finan- 


METHODISM  IN  CITIES.  42 1 

cial  plan  of  the  Conference  was  adopted.  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  estimate  the  table  expenses  of  the 
pastor  for  the  year.  They  reported  seventy-five  dol- 
lars. Ten  dollars  were  added.  The  whole  amount  to 
be  raised  was  three  hundred  and  sixty-one  dollars, 
which  was  apportioned  to  the  different  classes.  The 
amount  paid  at  Lockport  to  be  appropriated  to  keep- 
ing the  preacher's  horse. 

In  1867  the  site  of  the  present  church  edifice  was 
secured,  and  a  church  commenced;  but  it  was  not 
completed  until  1874.  It  was  dedicated  by  Bishop 
Foster,  August  11,  1874. 

The  Semi-centennial  of  Methodism  in  Sidney  was 
held  November  26,  27,  and  28,  1875.  1^"^  this  half- 
century,  Sidney  has  sent  out  from  its  number  fourteen 
preachers.  It  has  three  times  been  the  seat  of  the 
Annual  Conference.  The  membership  now  is  seven 
hundred  and  fifty.  *** 

METHODISM  IN  SPRINGFIELD. 

In  1805,  Springfield,  then  a  village  four  years  old, 
was  included  in  the  Mad  River  Circuit.  It  thus  con- 
tinued until  1833,  when  William  H.  Raper,  the  pre- 
siding elder,  formed  a  new  circuit,  of  which  Spring- 
field was  the  principal  part,  and  to  which  it  gave 
name.  The  membership  numbered  950.  At  this  time 
a  church  edifice  was  built  at  the  corner  of  Columbia 
and  Market  Streets.  It  was  a  large  brick  structure, 
having  galleries  that  greatly  enlarged  its  seating  ca- 
pacity, and  it  was  for  years  the  most  important  and 
commodious  audience-room  in  town. 

In  1840,  Springfield  ceased  to  belong  to  a  circuit. 


422  OHIO   METHODISM, 

and  became,  an  independent  charge.  In  1848  a  colony 
formed  the  congregation,  which  has  since  been  known 
as  High  Street  Church.  The  site  of  the  present 
church-building  was  selected  in  1850,  and  a  year  later 
the  house  was  dedicated.  It  has  been  a  flourishing 
congregation  of  the  highest  respectability  and  most 
refined  Christian  influence.  The  church  has  been 
remodeled  from  time  to  time,  and  keeps  pace  with  the 
high  state  of  architectural  excellence  peculiar  to  its 
location.  Directly  west  of  the  church-building  stands 
the  parsonage,  which  is  one  of  the  handsomest  resi- 
dences in  Springfield. 

No  history  of  Methodism  in  Springfield  is  complete 
without  special  mention  of  Hon.  P.  P.  Mast.  While 
he  belonged  to  the  hirst  Church,  or  "Old  Columbia 
Street,"  he  donated  the  valuable  lot  on  which  stands 
the  parsonage  of  Central  Church.  He  was  a  promi- 
nent member  in  the  latter  charge  until  he  went  with 
the  colony  which  formed  St.  Paul  Church  in  1880. 
This  congregation,  which  began  with  150  members, 
located  on  Yellow  Springs  Street.  It  has  the  finest 
building  of  all  the  Methodist  Churches,  and  a  com- 
fortable parsonage  is  situated  on  the  same  lot. 

Grace  Chapel,  in  the  west  end  of  Springfield,  was 
built  by  Central  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1872. 
P.  P.  Mast  donated  the  ground,  and  has  ever  been 
its  generous  patron.  A  Sunday-school  has  always 
been  kept  up,  but  only  during  the  last  few  years  has 
the  financial  capacity  of  the  congregation  warranted 
the  expense  of  a  pastor. 

CHfton  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was 
organized  by  a  colony  from  Central  Church  in  1894. 


METIIODISM  ly   CITIES.  423 

There  were  65  members;  at  the  close  of  the  third  year 
the  increase  raised  the  membership  to  225.  A  Sun- 
day-school in  this  locality  was  undertaken  in  an  empty 
building-  belonging  to  the  Freewill  Baptists,  from 
whom  it  was  rented.  This  was  the  nucleus  of  what 
promises  to  be  as  flourishing  a  congregation  as  any 
in  town.  It  fills  a  long-felt  want  in  that  part  of  the 
city. 

The  IMcthodist  Protestant  Church  has  one  con- 
gregation in  Springfield.  The  church  is  situated  on 
Pleasant  Street,  between  Center  and  South  Fountain 
Avenue.  This  organization  dates  back  to  1829,  from 
which  time  until  about  1837  it  formed  part  of  a  cir- 
cuit. Its  first  meeting-house,  on  North  Street,  w^as 
afterward  sold  to  the  African  Methodists,  and  is  still 
occupied  by  them. 

Among  the  colored  people  of  S]:)ringfield,  Meth- 
odism is  represented  by  three  flourishing  congrega- 
tions. The  first  in  age  and  importance  is  the  North 
Street  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Its  be- 
ginning is  not  accurately  known,  but  was  probably 
the  enthusiastic  meetings  held  by  a  few  earnest  Chris- 
tian Negroes,  many  of  whom  had  been  through  the 
trials  of  slavery,  and  who  met  to  sing,  pray,  and  com- 
pare experiences  in  barns  and  cabins  of  long-ago 
times.  After  having  several  small  meeting-houses, 
such  as  their  means  allowed,  they  finally  settled  on 
North  Street,  in  a  building  w^hich  they  bought  from 
another  congregation,  but  which  they  have  improved 
and  enlarged  unto  its  present  capacious  comeliness. 
This  is  a  Church  of  great  respectability  and  influence. 

In  1867  nine  members  of  the  North  Street  African 


424  OHIO   METHODISM, 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church  resolved  to  form  a  new 
congregation.  It  has  been  prosperous,  both  finan- 
cially, socially,  and  spiritually.  It  is  called  Wiley 
Chapel.  The  church-building  is  on  South  Center 
Street. 

The  third  church  belonging  to  the  colored  citizens 
is  known  as  the  Second  African  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Springfield.  It  is  situated  on  the  corner  of 
Clifton  and  Boler  Streets.  Kate  Kauffman. 

METHODIvSM   IN  STEUBENVIIvLE. 

The  Ohio  Circuit,  which  afterward  embraced  Steu- 
ben ville,  was  formed  in  1787.  It  embraced  Ohio 
County,  Virginia;  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania; 
and  settlements  on  both  sides  of  the  river  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Muskingum  to  Pittsburg.  It  is  claimed 
that  the  first  preaching  in  Steubenville  by  a  Methodist 
preacher  occurred  in  1794,  when  Samuel  Hitt  and 
John  H.  Reynolds  preached  a  few  sermons  in  the 
midst  of  much  opposition.  The  number  of  members 
reported  in  1799  on  this  circuit  was  427. 

In  1801  the  circuit  was  divided,  and  the  West 
Wheeling  Circuit  formed,  in  which  Jefiferson  County, 
Ohio,  was  included. 

The  year  1806  was  one  of  great  enlargement.  A 
preaching-place  was  found  at  the  house  of  John  Per- 
mar,  where  many  were  converted. 

In  18 1 2,  William  Lambden  was  the  preacher.  At 
the  close  of  his  first  sermon,  he  announced  that  the 
next  forenoon  he  would  form  a  class  at  the  house  of 
Cernard  Lucas.  The  meeting  continued  to  be  held 
in  private  houses,  and  the  membership  was  augmented 


METHODISM  IX   CITIES.  425 

at  each  meeting.  During  this  year  there  was  a  great 
revival,  and  B.  Wells  proffered  the  land  on  which  the 
church  now  stands,  and  an  edifice  50  by  55  feet  was 
erected.  As  usual,  it  all  grew  out  of  an  old-fashioned 
revival.  In  1813  the  Ohio  Conference  was  held  in 
Steubenville,  Bisliops  Asbury  and  McKendree  being 
present.  Steubenville  was  made  a  station  in  18 18,  and 
when  the  Pittsburg  Conference  was  formed  in  1824  it 
embraced  this  station. 

The  first  IMethodist  Sunday-school  was  organized 
in  Steubenville  in  1826.  This  was  the  year  in  which 
the  Secretary  of  War,  E.  ]\I.  Stanton,  was  converted, 
and  united  with  the  Church. 

The  first  separation  of  the  Methodists  occurred  in 
1830,  when  eighty-one  full  members  and  eleven  pro- 
bationers united  and  formed  a  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  on  Fifth  Street.  The  year  following  there  was 
a  great  ingathering  of  members.  In  1845-6  the  second 
swarming  of  the  Methodists  occurred,  and  as  a  result 
the  Hamline  Church  was  formed.  In  1854  the  church 
known  as  the  "Old  Ship"  was  torn  down,  and  the 
present  one  built.  In  1870  another  colony  of  fifty 
members  was  sent  off,  to  form  the  Finley  Church.  In 
1892  the  church  was  remodeled,  at  a  cost  of  nearly 
$6,000.  In  189T  the  new  Hamline  church,  a  fine  mod- 
ern stone  structure,  was  dedicated.  The  eighteenth 
session  of  the  East  Ohio  Conference  was  held  here  in 
September,  1892. 

The  three  ^Tethodist  Episcopal  Churches  of  Steu- 
benville had,  in  1897,  a  membership  of  about  1,200, 
out  of  a  total  Protestant  Church  membership  of  about 
3,000. 


426  OHIO   METHODISM. 

The  Methodist  Church  is  the  oldest  Church  of  the 
city,  and  stands  first  in  numbers^  but  second  in  weaUh. 
The  county  and  river  vaHey  are  strongly  Alethodistic. 
The  great  majority  of  the  Churches  in  the  county  are 
Methodist.  G.  F.  Oliver. 

METHODISM  IN  TOLEDO. 

Methodism  had  an  early  entrance  into  the  territory 
of  the  present  city  of  Toledo.  Who  held  the  first  serv- 
ice seems  to  be  in  some  doubt.  Elnathan  C.  Gavitt, 
who  died  in  Toledo,  Ohio,  March  15.  1896,  is  confident 
that  he  preached  the  first  sermon  about  1832;  while 
others  think  Mr.  Gavitt  was  preceded  as  early  as  1822 
or  1823  by  Billings  O.  Plympton  and  Elias  Pattee, 
who  then  stopped  and  held  services  while  passing  be- 
tween Detroit  and  INIonroe  and  Northern  Ohio. 

The  first  Methodist  class  was  formed  at  the  home 
of  Eli  Hubbard,  which  stood  near  the  Tremainsville 
bridge,  which  is  now  at  the  intersection  of  Detroit 
Avenue,  Cherry  Streets,  and  at  the  north  end  of  Col- 
ingwood  Avenue,  at  present  just  outside  of  the  city 
limits,  and  in  what  is  now^  known  as  West  Toledo. 
The  outgrowth  of  this  class  w^as  the  Tremainsville 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which  has  passed  out 
of  history  as  such,  but  its  fruit  is  tiie  West  Toledo 
Methodist  Episcopal  Churcli. 

Seven  years  before  the  founding  of  Toledo,  and  in 
the  same  year  as  the  founding  of  the  work  in  West 
Toledo,  a  class  was  formed  at  the  home  of  Noah  A. 
\Miitncy,  and  Airs.  Alaria  A.  Whitney  was  appointed 
class-leader. 

The  Monroe  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 


JfETHOniSM  AV   CITIES.  427 

which  was  the  first  in  Toledo  proper,  and  which  has 
sent  forth  colonies  to  other  portions  of  the  city,  has 
had  a  constant  existence,  and  now  numl)crs  about 
three  hundred  members,  with  a  Sunday-school  of  three 
hundred  and  fifty,  and  w  ilh  Epworth  Leagues  num- 
bering nearly  two  hundred.  Under  the  present  pas- 
torate of  Rev.  W.  H.  Leatherman,  the  Church  has 
built  the  Central  Avenue  church,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000, 
and  is  building  a  new  parsonage  at  Monroe  Street 
property.  The  present  valuation  of  church  property 
is  $12,750.  The  future  of  this  Church  is  regarded  as 
of  very  great  importance  for  our  Methodism. 

The  second  Church  in  Toledo,  St.  Paul's,  was  or- 
ganized in  1836,  when  the  society  purchased  lots  on 
Huron  Street,  between  Locust  and  \\'alnui,  where  the 
church  was  erected,  but  was  sold  in  1850  to  the  Ger- 
man Methodists,  and  became  the  foundation  of  the 
Emanuel  German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  By 
1850  the  progress  of  tlic  Church  became  such  that 
more  commodious  quarters  must  be  secured,  and  lots 
were  purchased  at  the  corner  of  Madison  and  Superior 
Streets,  where  a  building  was  erected,  at  the  cost  of 
$2,000.  This  building  was  removed  in  1865.  and  the 
present  two-story  building  was  erected,  at  the  cost  of 
$60,000.  This  was  m  the  winter  of  1869,  when  $18,000 
was  raised  toward  tiie  debt,  and,  this  being  insufficient, 
another  effort  was  made  in  June  of  1873,  when  $23,000 
more  was  raised.  Then  came  the  direst  catastrophe 
to  Toledo  ATcthodism,  "the  paper  crash."  Men  wdio 
subscribed  thousands  were  not  able  to  pay  a  cent,  and 
the  Church  was  left  in  the  sorest  need,  and  the  whole 
citv,  and  indeed  the  whole  Conference,  felt  the  shock 


428  OHIO  METHODISM. 

and  crash.  At  this  time  it  was  evident  that  several 
new  church  enterprises  should  be  begun,  and  the 
foundations  for  at  least  four  other  Methodist  churches 
should  be  laid  at  the  proper  distances,  and  in  the  most 
strategic  points.  But  here  was  the  struggling  mother 
Church  of  the  down-town  Churches  crippled  and 
helpless,  and  every  man  was  urged  to  come  to  her 
relief.  Other  denominations  came  in,  and,  profiting 
by  our  helplessness  and  seeing  the  openings,  planted 
several  churches  at  the  very  points  where  there  should 
have  been  Methodist  churches.  These  four  Churches 
have  memberships  that  at  the  present  day  are  known 
to  be  from  one-half  to  two-thirds  Methodist.  Many 
of  them  found  it  too  far  to  go  to  St.  Paul's,  and  some 
feared  the  extra  strain  the  debt  would  require,  and 
the  people  who  came  to  the  city  from  other  cities  were 
slow  to  enter  where  the  debt  was  so  apparent.  As  a 
consequence  of  all  this,  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  fell  from  her  place  as  leader  of  the  religious 
forces  of  the  city,  and  has  several  other  sisters,  whose 
progress  has  been  a  constant  stimulus  to  her,  if  not 
a  real  provocation  unto  love  and  good  works.  The  facts 
of  some  unwise  leadership  are  also  so  apparent  that 
there  can  be  no  concealment  of  their  irreparable  dam- 
age to  our  Church.  The  location  of  several  churches 
on  ineligible  sites  to  please  some  real-estate  man,  and 
the  holding  on  to  some  to  please  one  or  two  families, 
as  well  as  the  forbidding  of  authorities  to  enter  certain 
other  territories,  are  all  too  manifest.  Notwithstand- 
ing all  this,  there  has  come  a  new  era  to  the  Meth- 
odism of  Toledo,  and  we  are  very  surely  gaining  on 
the  unchurched  masses. 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  429 

The  present  status  of  St.  Paul's  Church  is  very 
encouraging.  Within  the  past  ten  years  she  has  helped 
to  build  seven  or  eight  of  the  struggling  Churches  of 
Toledo.  These  gifts  aggregate  thousands  of  dollars, 
and  are  a  grateful  token  of  gratitude  for  the  help  she 
received  from  the  Central  Ohio  Conference  in  her 
distress  a  few  years  since.  In  1897  the  trustees  of  St. 
Paul's  Church  sold  the  property  at  the  corner  of  Su- 
perior and  Madison  for  the  sum  of  $60,000,  and  began 
plans  for  the  erection  of  the  finest  and  largest  church 
in  the  city  among  Protestants.  Lots  were  purchased 
on  the  corner  of  Thirteenth  and  Madison  Streets,  a 
half  mile  further  up  town.  This  new  church  is  cer- 
tainly the  most  unique  piece  of  architecture  in  the 
city,  and  the  building  can  not  but  be  remembered 
favorably  by  any  one  who  visits  it.  When  completed, 
the  whole  cost  wnll  exceed  $80,000.  The  new  St.  Paul's 
will  greatly  aid  in  the  unification  and  development  of 
our  connectional  interests. 

In  1853  a  mission  was  begun  on  La  Grange  Street, 
which  for  several  years  took  the  name  of  Ames  Chapel, 
but  in  1872  the  new  church  on  Magnolia  Street,  be- 
tween Huron  and  Superior,  was  built,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$18,000,  and  named  St.  John's.  It  is  to-day  a  strong 
and  aggressive  Church,  with  a  real  loyal  spirit.  The 
membership  is  250,  with  Sunday-school  of  300;  League 
of  150.  This  Church  has  planted  a  new  church  at 
Spring  Street,  and  helped  it  out  of  debt,  and  furnished 
many  valuable  members  for  the  other  Methodist 
Churches  of  the  city. 

Broadway  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  east  side 
of  Broadwav,  between  Crittenden  and  Western  Ave- 


430  OHIO  METHODISM. 

nues,  was  organized  in  1859  as  a  mission  of  St.  Paul's. 
The  present  commodious  edifice  was  erected  in  1892. 

West  Toledo  (formerly  Tremainsville)  was  reorgan- 
ized,' and  a  new  church  built  at  the  corner  of  Phillips 
Avenue  and  Duke  Street,  taking  the  name  of  the  lo- 
cality in  which  it  is  situated.  The  church  was  built 
in  1865,  and  at  present  is  valued  at  $5,000,  with  a  par- 
sonage worth  $2poo.     It  has  a  membership  of  100. 

Third  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  East 
Toledo,  is  the  mother  Church  of  that  side,  in  that  she 
has  sent  out  several  colonies.  Organized  in  1866  as 
a  mission  from  St.  Paul's,  and  on  Third  Street,  between 
Oak  and  Cherry  Streets,  it  has  occupied  this  growing 
territory,  and  has  had  a  vigorous  and  eventful  Hfe. 
Its  members  number  two  hundred  and  fifty,  with 
church  property  valued  at  about  $5,000.  A  new  and 
more  commodious  site  for  a  long-needed  church  has 
been  secured  by  the  efforts  of  the  present  pastor,  Rev. 
J.  W.  Donnan. 

Albany  Street  Church  was  begun  as  a  Sunday- 
school  mission,  under  the  direction  of  the  then  La 
Grange  Church,  in  1854.  The  charge  numbers  one 
hundred  and  ninety-seven  members,  with  a  Sunday- 
school  of  three  hundred  and  ninety.  A  new  and  very 
modern  church  is  now  being  pushed  toward  comple- 
tion, and  will  be  dedicated  soon.  The  cost  of  the  new 
church  is  to  exceed  $10,000,  on  a  new  site,  in  a  better 
location.  The  lot  was  the  gift  of  a  stranger  in  answer 
to  prayer.  This  Church  holds  a  very  important  place 
in  the  future  of  Toledo. 

Emanuel  German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
was  organized  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Peter  F. 


METHODISM   IN   CITIES.  43 1 

Schneider  in  the  buikhng  bought  of  St.  Paul's  Church, 
and  moved  to  Ontario  Street,  where  it  now  stands. 
It  has  a  very  large  membership  and  Sabbath-school, 
with  an  Epworth  League  of  over  two  hundred. 

Detroit  Avenue  Methodist  Church  is  one  of  those 
Churches  that  have  suffered  from  the  unavoidable 
changes  in  the  centers  of  population  and  of  business 
and  personal  interests.  Its  history  is  therefore  frag- 
mentary and  dif^cult  to  obtain;  but  it  now  occupies 
a  strategic  place  in  our  Methodism  in  the  western 
portion  of  Toledo,  and  at  the  present  time  is  making 
substantial  growth  in  membership  and  in  material 
things.  A  new  church  is  imperative,  and  considerable 
money  is  being  laid  by  for  that  purpose.  It  has  a 
membership  of  about  two  hundred,  and  a  Sunday- 
school  of  two  hundred  and  twenty,  with  a  sturdy  Ep- 
worth League  of  about  seventy. 

Bethany  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which  until 
recently  was  outside  the  city  limits,  is  one  of  the  oldest 
about  the  city,  and  the  very  oldest  on  the  East  Side 
of  the  river.  For  many  years  it  had  the  name  of  the 
Oregon.  In  1880  it  was  taken  from  the  Findlay  Dis- 
trict, and  attached  to  Third  Street,  Toledo,  and  in 
1888  it  was  put  with  Albany  Street,  and  the  name  was 
changed  from  Oregon  to  Bethany.  In  1890  it  was 
united  with  Clark  Strcci  Church,  and  in  i8(j2  it  be- 
came a  station. 

Clark  Street  T^Iethodist  E])isco])al  Cluu-cli,  east 
side  of  the  river,  is  a  colony  from  Third  vStreet  Church, 
and  was  begun  as  a  Sunday-school  in  1888.  The  next 
year  a  lot  was  purchased,  plans  secured,  and  a  good 
subscription  begun  for  a  brick  church,  to  be  28  l)y  50 


43  2  ohioIme  thodism. 

feet.  It  remains  in  charge  of  Third  Street.  It  has  a 
handsome  brick  edifice,  costing  about  $3,000.  The 
building  must  be  enlarged,  and  the  work  has  already 
begun.  The  membership  is  two  hundred  and  fifty, 
with  a  Sunday-school  of  two  hundred,  and  an  Epvvorth 
League  of  over  a  hundred. 

Epworth  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  situated  on 
Scottwood  Avenue,  near  Bancroft  Street,  in  the 
wealthiest,  and  possibly  the  best  residence  portion  of 
Toledo,  had  a  peculiar,  spontaneous,  and  in  some  re- 
spects a  marvelous  beginning.  In  one  year  a  mem- 
bership of  "120  was  gathered  and  organized  by  Rev. 
J.  W.  Donnan,  Conference  evangelist,  causing  no 
serious  loss  to  any  other  Methodist  Church  in  Toledo, 
but  saving  many  who  would  otherwise  be  lost  to  our 
common  Methodism."  This,  the  Epworth  Church,  in 
the  year  1894  purchased  a  lot,  and  erected  the  present 
structure,  at  the  cost  of  $9,000.  It  has  two  hundred 
and  twenty  members,  church  property  valued  at  $10,- 
000,  and  with  Sunday-school  of  two  hundred,  and  an 
Epworth  League  of  about  fifty. 

Western  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  situ- 
ated on  Western  Avenue,  opposite  to  the  Air  Line 
Junction,  was,  ''through  the  energy  of  the  Conference 
evangelist,  Rev.  J.  W.  Donnan,  and  the  help  of  the 
Missionary  Society,  organized  with  fifty  members  and 
a  flourishing  Sunday-school."  The  church  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  on  the  i8th  of  November,  and 
money  enough  was  subscribed  to  cover  the  cost  of  the 
building.  This  church  is  a  little  gem  of  architectural 
beauty,  and  cost  about  $2,500.  It  has  a  flourishing 
Epworth  League,  and  is  doing  well  to  fill  its  important 


METHODISM  IN   CITIES.  433 

mission.     This  Church  was  begun  as  a  colony  from 
Broadway  Church. 

Spring  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was 
begun  by  faithful  persons  from  St.  John's  Church. 
The  new  church  was  built  in  1895,  at  a  total  cost  of 
$2,500. 

Ironville  Methodist  Episcopal  Churchy  in  East  To- 
ledo, w-as  organized  in  1896,  with  twenty-two  mem- 
bers. A  League  of  sixty-two  members,  and  a  Junior 
of  twenty-three,  a  Sabbath-school  of  sixty,  and  a  mem- 
bership of  forty,  make  a  beginning  of  small  things 
not  to  be  despised. 

Central  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  cor- 
ner of  Central  and  Detroit  Avenues,  is  the  newest  and 
one  of  the  most  promising  fields  in  the  city  of  Toledo. 
Monroe  Street  Church  began  a  Sabbath-school  at  the 
Lozier  Bicycle  Works,  in  March,  1896,  and  gathered 
a  school  of  nearly  a  hundred  children.  In  November 
of  the  same  year,  the  pastor.  Rev.  W.  H.  Leatherman, 
began  the  plans  for  a  new  chapel,  which  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  free  from  debt  on  the  6th  day  of 
September,  1897.  Instead  of  building  a  cheap  chapel 
on  a  back  street  wdiere  the  lots  had  been  given,  the 
site  was  exchanged  for  two  commodious  and  eligible 
lots  on  these  important  streets.  The  entire  cost  is  not 
far  from  $4,000.  The  membership  of  the  Church  is 
forty,  the  enrollment  of  the  Sunday-school  is  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty,  the  Epworth  League  about  fifty. 

There    arc   also   the   Salem    Methodist    Episcopal 
(German)    Church,    corner    of    Federal    and    Derand 
Streets,   and   the   Zion   Methodist   Episcopal   Church 
(German),  527  Segur  Avenue. 
28        ^ 


434  OHIO  METHODISM. 

Warren  Chapel  (colored)  is  a  very  large  and  worthy 
church,  with  over  live  hundred  members.  Rev.  I.  N. 
Ross,  D.  D.,  is  the  beloved  and  able  pastor. 

Two  events  or  movements  of  vastly  more  impor- 
tance for  the  future  of  our  unified  Methodism  remain 
to  be  mentioned.  They  are  given  in  the  order  of  their 
historic  beginning. 

The  first  of  these  is  the  Toledo  Epworth  League 
Union,  organized  in  the  parlors  of  St.  Paul's  Church, 
July  13,  1892,  with  twenty-four  delegates  from  eight 
Chapters,  six  English,  and  two  of  the  German  Meth- 
odists. With  care  a  constitution  and  by-laws  were 
prepared  and  adopted,  and  the  following  officers 
elected:  President,  L.  S.  Churchill,  of  St.  John's 
Church;  Miss  Hattie  Frankeberger,  of  St,  Paul's,  w^as 
elected  secretary;  Mr.  Aug.  Kremling,  of  Emanuel 
Church  (German),  was  elected  treasurer.  The  work 
of  union  effort  to  further  the  Christian  spirit  among 
the  Churches  and  among  the  public  institutions  of 
the  city  was  begun,  and  the  Lord  signally  blessed  the 
work  of  these  young  soldiers.  The  organization  has 
gone  on  gathering  new  impetus  and  strength  with 
every  year,  until  to-day  it  has  a  wonderful  field  of 
opportunity. 

Each  year  a  reception  is  tendered  the  pastors  of  the 
city  In  a  union  meeting  at  St.  Paul's  Church,  and  then 
a  quarterly  business-meeting  and  a  quarterly  conse- 
cration-meeting. Besides  the  above  officers,  there  is 
an  Executive  Committee  that  is  in  frequent  session 
for  the  further  work  of  the  Union. 

The  Eederation  of  the  Toledo  Methodist  Episcopal 
Churches  is  the  second  of  these  movements  that  we 


MET}IOI)ISM  IN   CITIES.  435 

name  as  of  importance  to  the  development  of  Meth- 
odism in  Toledo.  This  Federation  was  formed  in  the 
parlors  of  St.  Paul's  Church  on  the  evening  of  the 
19th  of  January,  1898,  with  representatives  from  eight 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches.  Dr.  J.  M. 
Avann,  presiding'  elder,  was  present,  and  rendered 
much  valuable  help  to  the  organization.  This  newly- 
organized  effort  was  manned  by  the  following  offtcers: 
President,  Thomas  H.  Tracy,  of  St.  Paul;  first  vice- 
president,  Rev.  J.  H.  Bethards,  of  St.  John's;  second 
vice-])resident,  James  L.  Stark,  of  Clark  Street  Church ; 
Rev.  W.  H.  Leatherman,  of  Monroe  Street  Church, 
secretary;  treasurer,  Frank  H.  Tanner,  of  Epworth. 
Dr.  J.  M.  Avann,  chairman  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee. The  following  is  the  object  of  this  Feder- 
ation: 'To  bring  into  social  and  fraternal  relations  all 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  people  of  the  city;  and  to  in- 
crease the  efTficiency  of  the  denomination  by  securing 
harmony  of  action  on  the  part  of  the  several  Churches, 
and  by  assisting  w-eak  Churches,  and  establishing  and 
fostering  missions  that  give  promise  of  becoming  self- 
supporting." 

While  this  is  a  recent  undertaking,  it  is  not  by  any 
means  the  only  attempt  of  the  kind ;  for  the  past  years 
have  witnessed  several  other  organizations,  that  for 
causes,  not  necessarily  named  here,  have  had  a  short 
life,  and  accomplished  little  more  than  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  present  one.  Profiting"  by  the  former  ex- 
periences, the  new  organization  hopes  to  escape  obliv- 
ion, and  to  live  to  bless  Toledo  Methodism.  While 
the  soil  of  Toledo  and  the  surrounding  country  is  un- 
congenial to  IMethodism,  yet  it  is  a  gratifying  fact  that 


436  OHIO   METHOD lS^f. 

the  Methodist  Episcopal  Cluirch  is  at  present  making- 
advances  on  the  relative  proportion  to  the  population. 
In  Ohio,  we  are  told  that  there  is  one  Methodist  to 
fifteen  of  the  population.  Jn  Toledo,  this  is  as  near  the 
truth  as  we  can  come  with  tlie  data  at  hand:  In  1850, 
1  to  56;  in  i860,  I  to  62;  in  1870^  i  to  58;  in  1880,  i  to 
55;  in  1890,  I  to  55;  1897,  I  to  48.  Thus  there  will  be 
noticed  a  strange  and  very  rapid  change  in  the  last 
seven  .years,  and  with  the  closer  compact  of  the  Meth- 
odist forces,  and  the  more  full  consecration  of  our- 
selves to  God,  we  hope  to  reach  every  soul  that  is  lost 
and  straying.  The  outlook  is  by  far  more  hopeful  than 
ever  in  the  past  history  of  our  Church  in  this  city.  It 
is  not  the  purpose  of  this  article  to  give  the  annals  of 
any  Church,  nor  to  eulogize  men  for  their  well-done 
work;  hence  there  are  many  names  and  heroic  deeds 
that  must  be  left  for  the  chronicler  of  the  individual 
Churches.  Only  present  pastors  and  elder  are  named 
here.  W.  H.  Leatherman. 

METHODISM  IN   URBANA. 

Methodism  was  introduced  into  Urbana  about  the 
year  1807.  The  first  church  was  a  hewed-log  building, 
which  stood  on  what  is  now  the  southeast  corner  of 
Ward  and  Locust  Streets.  In  front  of  it  was  the  bury- 
ing-ground.  It  faced  toward  the  north.  It  was  fur- 
nished with  a  gallery,  which  was  reached  by  steps  on 
the  outside  of  the  church. 

The  next  church  was  a  brick  building,  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  Court  and  Locust  Streets.  The 
first  reference  I  find  to  it  in  the  trustees'  record  is  in 
the  entry  of  May  17,  18 16,  in  the  following  language: 


METHODISM   IN   CITIES.  437 

'The  trustes  ordered  that  there  should  be  a  subscrip- 
tion-paper drafted  and  circulated  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  funds  to  l)uild  a  new  'meeting-house'  in  the 
town  of  Urbana,  for  the  use  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church." 

I  can  find  no  reference  to  the  date  of  the  dedication 
of  that  structure.  But  in  August,  1820,  the  lot  was 
still  not  paid  for.  In  1830,  at  about  half-past  one  in 
the  afternoon  of  March  21st,  a  fearful  storm  passed 
over  the  city,  completely  demolishing  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  carrying  away  the  north  end  of  the  Meth- 
odist church.  It  is  said  that  a  Family  Bible  belonging 
to  Mrs.  Bell  was  carried  some  fifteen  miles  northeast 
of  town,  where  it  was  afterward  found. 

On  the  29th  of  June,  1831,  one  year  and  three 
months  after  the  storm,  the  board  settled  with  Joseph 
Bayles  for  repairing  the  meeting-house,  and  allowed 
him  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  the  same,  of 
which  eighty-seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents  remained 
still  unpaid.  Not  long  after  this,  the  sacred  edifice 
being  considered  unsafe,  it  was  abandoned  as  a  place 
of  worship,  and  divine  services  were  held  in  the  court- 
house. These  circumstances  led  to  the  necessity  of 
erecting  a  new  church.  The  church  was  dedicated  on 
the  I2th  of  November,  1836. 

In  1863  the  proposition  was  made  to  improve  the 
church  to  the  amount  of  $3,000.  The  first  part  of  the 
improvement  made  was  the  church  front,  at  a  cost  of 
$800.  On  April  9,  1865,  the  proposition  to  remodel 
the  inside  of  the  church  was  put  to  the  congregation, 
and  approved  by  their  vote.  Finding  that  the  pro- 
posed improvement  would  be  costly,  the  question  of 


438  OHIO   METHODISM. 

suspending  or  carrying  it  forward  was  placed  before 
the  entire  congregation,  and  it  was  unanimously  voted 
that  the  trustees  should  proceed.  It  was  at  this  time 
that  the  galleries  were  removed.  Other  improvements 
followed. 

In  1837,  IJrbana  was  set  off  as  a  station,  and  Will- 
iam Young  appointed  pastor.  For  many  years  there 
was  only  one  charge,  but  in  1855  Grace  Church  be- 
came a  separate  appointment.  The  Sunday-school 
w^as  first  held  in  a  log  building,  used  as  a  schoolhouse, 
which  stood  on  the  south  side  of  what  is  now  Miami 
Street,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  west  of  the 
Square.  This  was  about  1814.  The  school  was  held 
twice  each  Sunday,  for  about  two  hours  each  session. 
Books  were  scarce,  one  Testament  serving  for  a  whole 
class.  The  exercises  consisted  of  recitations  of  Scrip- 
ture verses  and  hymns,  with  singing  interspersed. 
Those  who  could  not  spell  or  read  were  taught  those 
useful  accomplishments. 

IMethodism  in  Urbana  is  strong.  There  are  more 
than  twelve  hundred  Methodists  in  the  city,  among 
whom  are  some  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  the 
place.  First  Church  and  Grace  Church  have  about 
equal  strength  in  numbers,  value  of  church  property, 
social  standing,  financial  ability,  and  spiritual  worth. 

Charles  W.  Rishell. 

METHODISM  IN  VERNON. 

In  the  summer  of  1801,  Obed  Crosby,  a  local 
preacher,  organized  in  the  township  of  Vernon,  Trum- 
bull County,  Ohio,  a  Methodist  class,  which  was  the 
first  in  the  Connecticut  Reserv-e;  in  fact,  in  all  of  that 


METHODISM   IX   CITIES.  439 

part  of  the  State  north  of  a  Hne  drawn  westward  from 
Jefferson  County.  The  class  met  in  Mr.  Crosby's 
cabin  some  six  months,  and  then  in  ]\Ir.  Crosby's 
hewed-log^  house  about  a  year.  After  this,  meetings 
were  held  in  the  extreme  north  part  of  Hartford,  about 
one  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Mr.  Crosby's,  in  a  log 
barn  belonging  to  Coloned  Richard  Hayes,  and  sub- 
sequently in  schoolhouses.  The  settlement  in  the 
north  part  of  Hartford  was  early  called  Burgh  Hill, 
and  took  the  name  of  "the  Burgh,"  by  which  it  was 
and  is  now  known. 

Joseph  Shane  was  the  first  regularly  ordained 
Methodist  minister  that  ever  preached  in  Vernon. 
This  was  in  1801,  at  Mr.  Crosby's  house.  Robert  R. 
Roberts  was  the  regular  circuit  preacher  for  the 
Crosby  class  in  1806.  An  offshoot  from  this  class  was 
organized  about  18 16,  in  the  east  part  of  Vernon, 
about  one  mile  east  of  the  Pymatuning  Creek,  and 
known  as  ''No.  4."  After  some  twenty  years,  it  was 
either  divided  or  abandoned,  part  of  the  members 
going  to  Orangcville,  and  the  remainder  to  the  most 
convenient  points.  Hartford  was  another  offshoot, 
and  a  church  was  built  at  the  center  about  1836. 

The  Burgh  was  an  appointment  probably  as  late 
as  1848,  when  it  was  abandoned  as  a  regular  preach- 
ing-place by  the  ^Methodists.  In  1826  the  Presby- 
terians built  a  brick  church  at  the  center  of  Vernon. 
At  the  time  the  Burgh  was  abandoned,  a  class  was 
undoubtedly  formed  at  \^ernon  Center,  and  met  in  the 
old  brick  church.  In  the  summer  of  1853  they  fitted 
up  a  warehouse,  and  met  there  one  year,  after  which 
thev  went  back  to  the  "old  brick."    In  1864  the  Burgli 


440  OHIO   METHODISM. 

schoolhouse  was  again  made  a  regular  preaching 
point,  and  in  1867  the  center  of  Vernon  was  discon- 
tinued. In  November,  1869,  the  class  rented  the 
building  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Pruden  in  the  village  of 
Burgh  Hill.  In  1871  they  used  an  old  building  a  httlc 
north  of  where  i\Ir.  Moran  lived  until  a  church  was 
built  in  June,  1872,  and  dedicated  September  7,  1876. 
In  1897  this  building  was  abandoned,  and  a  fme  church 
built  at  Vernon  Center.  With  the  exception  of  five  to 
seven  years,  this  old  class  has  had  nearly  one  hundred 
consecutive  years'  existence,  and  has  met  all  that 
time  at  less  than  two  and  one-half  miles  from  the  spot 
where  it  was  organized  in  1801. 

As  Mr.  Crosby  preached  in  Vernon  in  1800,  before 
the  class  was  formed,  he,  so  far  as  the  writer  can  learn, 
is  entitled  to  the  distinction  of  having  preached  the 
first  sermon  ever  delivered  by  any  INIethodist  preacher 
in  that  part  of  Ohio  north  and  west  of  JefTerson 
County. 

Older  members  will  remember  the  labors  of  j\Iil- 
ton  Graham,  a  local  preacher,  at  the  center  of  Vernon, 
and  of  David  King  and  Vv^fe,  through  whose  instru- 
mentality principally  the  church  erected  in  1872  w^as 
built  at  Burgh  Hill.  Calvin  Kingsley,  afterw^ards 
bishop,  an  intimate  friend  of  Rev.  David  King,  at  one 
time  taught  school  in  Vernon,  and  thus  was  associated 
with  this  old  class.  John  I.  King. 

METHODISM  IN  WARREN. 

The  first  Methodist  sermon  preached  in  Warren 
was  by  Alfred  Brunson  in  18 19,  and  in  the  same  year, 
James  McMahon  organized  the  Methodist  Episcopal 


METHODISAr  IN   CITIES.  44 1 

Church  at  that  point,  with  ten  members,  in  1822 
regular  prayer-meeting  services  were  estabhshed  in 
a  rented  room  on  South  Park  Avenue.  The  first  sacra- 
mental service  was  held  in  182 1,  in  a  grove  on  the  river 
bank  on  the  southern  border  of  the  town.  The  preach- 
ing services  were,  for  the  most  part,  held  in  the  old 
court-house,  and  at  irregular  times.  For  the  first  two 
years  the  services  were  held  on  alternate  Saturday 
evenings,  and  later  on  Sunday  evenings.  It  was  not 
until  1824  that  regular  Sunday  morning  service  was 
established.  At  about  this  time  the  old  Academy 
building,  now  known  as  the  Sutliff  Block,  was  se- 
cured for  prayer  and  class  meetings.  Before  this  time 
these  meetings  were  held  at  the  houses  of  members. 
The  Church  was  slow  of  growth.  At  the  end  of  its 
first  year  there  were  but  fourteen  members,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  seventh  year  only  the  same  number.  The 
winter  of  1826-7  was  a  notable  one  in  the  history  of 
the  Church,  and  a  Conference  year  of  marked  pros- 
perity. In  February  of  the  latter  year,  the  first  quar- 
terly-meeting was  held.  This  was  under  the  leadership 
of  Charles  Elliott,  presiding  elder.  The  interest  in 
religion  awakened  by  this  two  davs'  meeting  resulted 
in  the  conversion  of  many  souls,  and  the  addition  of 
forty  to  the  Church.  This  growth  was  permanent  in 
its  character,  and  it  was  soon  found  necessary  to  di- 
vide, for  the  first  time,  the  original  class.  A  still 
further  division  was  made  in  1834,  in  the  formation 
of  four  classes  in  all.  Tlie  membership  now  numbered 
one  hundred  and  twenty.  The  Church  increased  in 
strength  and  influence  so  nnich  that  in  1836  the  ne- 
cessity of  building  a  church  edifice  was  greatly  felt. 


442  OHIO   METHODISM. 

Steps  were  at  once  taken  to  meet  this  want,  and  the 
work  was  prosecuted  with  such  vig-or  that  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  year  1837  an  edifice  was  ready  for 
occupancy,  and  was  dedicated  November  9th. 

In  1839,  Warren  was  made  a  station,  and  a  session 
of  the  Annual  Conference  was  held  there  in  1841. 

In  1867  the  lot  upon  which  the  present  church- 
building  on  High  Street  stands  was  purchased,  and  in 
1868  plans  for  the  erection  of  the  building  were  com- 
menced. The  dedication  took  place  in  June,  1874. 
This  church  cost  $55,000,  and  is  no  feet  long,  75  feet 
wide,  with  a  front  elevation  of  65  feet. 

The  Church  now  occupies  a  leading"  position  among 
the  Churches  of  Warren.  It  has  a  membership  of 
about  eight  hundred,  with  flourishing  Sunday-school 
and  Epworth  League,  and  the  Ladies'  Societies  most 
earnest  and  helpful.  At  the  fall  Conference  of  1897, 
Rev.  Lee  W.  Le  Page  was  appointed  to  West  Warren, 
to  organize  a  new  Church  enterprise  there.  This  year 
a  new  Methodist  Episcopal  church  will  be  erected  on 
Tod  Avenue.  The  new  society  is  already  well  organ- 
ized, growing,  full  of  courage  and  zeal. 

B.  J.  Taylor. 

METHODISM  IN  WASHINGTON  C.  H. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Washington 
C.  H.,  Ohio,  was  organized  during  the  summer  of 
t8t7,  by  Solomon  and  Thomas  Carr,  at  the  residence 
of  Thomas  Wilson.  After  its  organization,  services 
were  held  part  of  the  time  in  the  court-house,  and  part 
of  the  time  at  the  homes  of  members  of  the  congre- 
il  1826.    In  that  vear  the  brick  schoolhouse 


METHODISM   IN   CITIES. 


443 


on  Market  Strecl,  afterward  part  of  the  residence  of 
Richard  Millikan,  was  completed,  and  was  occupied 
by  the  society  until  1834,  when  a  brick  church  was 
erected  by  them  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Market 
Streets.  Its  walls  were,  however,  always  considered 
unsafe,  and  the  buildini^  was  never  completed  inside; 


METHODIST   EPISCOPAL   CHURCH,  WASHINGTON    C.  H.,  OHIO. 


and  in  three  years  was  abandoned.  From  this  time 
until  1845  t^^e  society  occupied  the  court-house,  and 
occasionally  the  Presbyterian  church,  wdien  a  frame 
church  was  erected  on  Market  Street,  and  occupied 
until  1866.  This  beinjT^  the  centenary  year  of  Meth- 
odism, they  resolved  to  build  a  church  that  would  be 
an  ornament  to  the  town  and  an  honor  to  the  Meth- 
odism it  represented.    A  lot  was  purchased  accordingly 


444  OHIO  METHODISM. 

on  the  corner  of  Market  and  North  Streets,  and  the 
brick  building  erected,  at  a  cost  of  about  fourteen 
thousand  dollars. 

For  some  time  it  was  evident  that  the  church- 
building  was  not  adequate  to  the  work  of  the  Church 
in  all  its  departments.  The  proposition  to  repair  was 
considered  carefully  for  several  years,  but  finally  lost 
all  favor.  The  first  definite  movement  toward  a  new 
building  was  at  a  meeting  held  in  April,  1893.  A 
motion  to  erect  a  church  edifice  when  a  sufficient  sub- 
scription should  have  been  secured  was  carried,  and 
the  work  of  soliciting  began.  The  subscription  opened 
favorably,  but  the  financial  situation  made  it  impos- 
sible to  proceed,  and  the  work  was  deferred  to  another 
season.  At  a  meeting  called  in  April,  1894,  the  mo- 
tion to  build  was  passed  again,  and  a  Building  Com- 
mittee appointed. 

The  Epworth  Memorial  Church  in  Cleveland  was 
adopted  as  their  general  model,  and  the  contract  was 
let  on  the  26th  of  September,  1894.  The  new  church 
is  80  by  126  feet  in  size  over  all,  and  was  dedicated  the 
following  year.  It  cost  about  $50,000.  The  style  of 
architecture  is  ancient  Gothic,  adapted  to  modern  re- 
cjuirements,  which  gives  to  the  building  an  impressive 
and  churchly  character.  The  Church  is  steadily  grow- 
ing in  numbers  and  influence.  In  1897  the  Church  had 
704  members,  and  had  375  scholars  in  the  Sabbath- 
school.  W.  H.  Lewis. 

METHODIvSM  IN  YOI^NGSTOWN. 

In  1803  the  Baltimore  Conference  appointed  Shad- 
rach  Bostwick  missionary  to  Deerfield  Circuit.     This 


MiyriionisM  i.\  cities.  445 

circuit  was  almost  limitless  in  extent,  embracing  a 
large  part  of  Northwestern  Pennsylvania  and  North- 
eastern Ohio,  a  territory  four  hundred  miles  in  cir- 
cumference. In  the  course  of  his  labors  he  came  to 
Youngstown,  in  Mahoning  County,  where  he  found  a 
small  log-house,  built  by  the  citizens,  and  occupied 
by  the  Presbyterians  as  a  church.  He  asked  the  privi- 
lege of  preaching  in  this  house^  but  was  promptly  and 
positively  refused.  Judge  Rayen,  a  prominent  citizen, 
but  not  a  professor  of  religion,  invited  Mr.  Bostwick 
to  preach  in  his  barn,  which  he  consented  to  do  until 
a  better  place  was  provided.  Quite  soon  a  class  was 
formed,  and  meetings  were  held  in  a  log  schoolhouse 
on  what  is  now  the  Diamond  or  Public  Square.  After 
a  time,  the  meetings  were  removed  to  the  residence 
of  Moses  Crawford,  and  later  they  were  held  in  the 
residences  of  other  pioneers.  About  the  year  1810 
the  first  meeting-house  was  built  not  far  from  the 
present  site  of  Trinitv  Church.  It  was  a  small,  unpre- 
tentious frame  building,  lighted  with  candles.  In  1818 
this  house  was  enlarged  by  an  addition  built  to  the 
south  end.  In  1828  the  society  built  a  brick  church 
across  the  street,  just  west  of  the  present  site  of  the 
Trinity  Church.  This  remained  until  1841,  when  a 
much  larger  building  was  erected,  which  continued  to 
serve  the  needs  of  the  congregation  until  1883,  when 
the  present  Trinity  church  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of 
$70,000.  It  is  a  most  imposing  and  substantial  stone 
edifice,  well  planned  and  equipped  for  the  work  of  the 
present  large  and  growing  congregation. 

As  the  town  grew  to  be  a  city,  and  as  the  city  grew 
in  size,  it  became  apparent  that  a  single  church  could 


446  OHIO  METHODISM. 

not  well  serve  the  needs  of  a  rapidly  increasing  Meth- 
odist constituency,  and  so  other  churches  were 
planted,  in  1877  the  Second  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  was  organized  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
city.  A  lot  was  secured  at  the  corner  of  Rayen  Aven- 
nue  and  what  was  then  called  Henrietta  Street.  Here 
a  substantial  frame  church  was  erected,  and  a  few 
years  later  a  parsonage  was  purchased  near  the 
church.  The  work  prospered  to  such  an  extent  that 
in  1890  it  was  deemed  wise  to  erect  a  larger  church. 
A  new  location  was  secured  on  Belmont  Avenue,  near 
Lincoln.  Here  the  present  splendid  structure  was 
erected,  at  a  cost  of  $32,000. 

In  1883  a  class  was  organized  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  city,  in  what  was  called  Hazleton.  Here  a 
union  church-building  was  erected,  and  occupied  until 
1897^  when  it  w-as  decided  to  erect  a  building  which 
should  belong  to  our  Church  exclusively.  In  1893 
a  valuable  and  eligible  lot  was  secured  on  Wilson 
Avenue,  and  on  this  lot  an  elegant  parsonage  was 
erected,  leaving  room  for  the  church  to  be  erected 
later.  On  this  site  the  present  beautiful  edifice  was 
erected,  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,500. 

In  1888  the  Rev.  A.  N.  Craft,  then  pastor  of  Trinity 
Church,  appointed  class-leaders  to  hold  cottage 
prayer-meetings  in  certain  sections  of  the  city.  This 
led  to  the  organization  of  a  class  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  city.  The  same  year  a  lot  was  secured  at  the 
corner  of  Hillman  and  Duquesne  Streets,  and  a  church 
erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $4,000.  This  church  was 
first  known  as  Wesley  Chapel,  but  in  1892  the  name 
was  changed  to  Epworth. 


MErHODISM   IN  CITIES.  447 

Methodism  in  Youngstown  is  aggressive,  and  leads 
the  Protestant  denominations  in  number  of  members 
and  value  of  church  property.  The  r-evival  spirit  has 
characterized  the  work  in  each  of  the  different 
Churches.  Trinity  has  the  largest  number  of  mem- 
bers of  any  Church  in  the  East  Ohio  Conference.  The 
following  statistics  will  show  the  strength  of  the  dif- 
ferent Churches:  Trinity,  members  and  probationers, 
1,357;  church  property,  $75,000.  Belmont  Avenue, 
members  and  probationers,  290;  church  properly, 
$36,000.  \\'ilson  Avenue,  members  and  probationers, 
174;  church  property,  $7,000.  Epworth,  members  and 
probationers,  215;  church  property,  $5,000.  Total 
members  and  probationers,  2,036;  church  property, 
$123,000.  These  Churches  are  thoroughly  organized, 
having  the  graded  Sunday-school,  Junior  and  Senior 
Epworth  League,  special  classes,  Ladies'  ^Missionary 
and  Aid  Societies,  auxiliaries,  etc. 

A.   ]\I.   BiLLINGSLEY. 

METHODISM  IN  ZANESVILLE. 

Before  1800  there  was  no  preacher  in  Zanesvillc, 
and  we  have  no  means  of  knowing  who  were  mem- 
bers. In  that  year  the  Western  Conference,  which 
included  all  of  the  territory  west  of  the  Alleghany 
INIountains,  sent  Jesse  Stoneman  to  organize  the  work 
on  the  Aluskingum  and  Hocking  Rivers.  I  lis  field 
was  over  three  hundred  miles  long.  In  1823,  John  P. 
Durbin  was  sent  to  Zanesvillc  as  its  First  stationed 
preacher.  Putnam  (now  the  Ninth  Ward)  was  made 
an  appointment  in  1832,  and  James  Gilruth  and  Abner 
Goff  were  appointed  there. 


44^  OHIO  METHODISM. 

In  1845  the  society  at  Seventh  Street  was  formed 
from  the  Second  Street  Church  by  geographical  Hnes. 
It  retained  the  name  of  Seventh  Street  until  1892,  when 
it  was  changed  to  Trinity.  The  church  is  a  brick, 
built  in  1844,  very  large  and  plain,  but  recently  it  has 
been  modernized,  and  a  pipe-organ  added.  The  mem- 
bership is  about  400. 

The  South  Street  Church  was  estabhshed  in  1867. 
For  fifteen  years  the  chapel  only  was  built,  but  the 
congregation  grew  so  strong  as  to  require  the  fine  new 
brick  church  to  be  built,  costing  $15,000. 

In  1889  the  Euclid  Avenue  Church  was  projected 
on  the  Terrace,  in  the  Tenth  Ward.  For  two  years  it 
was  suppHed  by  the  pastors  of  the  other  four  Churches; 
but  in  189 1  it  received  a  pastor  of  its  own.  So  far  it 
has  used  the  John  Boggs  homestead^  a  brick  dwell- 
ing-house, but  a  new  church  building  will  soon  be 
erected  on  the  Avenue. 

Second  Street  has  had  three  buildings — a  one-story 
frame,  built  in  1813;  in  1830  a  brick,  built  in  front 
of  the  frame,  and  since  i860  the  present  commodious 
church.  The  value  of  property,  with  parsonage,  is 
$20,000.  It  has  a  membership  of  600,  and  a  Sunday- 
school  of  300.  The  Epworth  League  numbers  100. 
The  aggregate  membership  in  all  the  five  Methodist 
Churches  is  about  2,500.  John  W.  King. 


DATE  DUE 

Alifi  U 

3?n05 

, 

GAYLORD 

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